AL calls for Hasina's freedom, end of emergency

Acting Awami League chief Zillur Rahman told the Election Commission Sunday that releasing party chief Sheikh Hasina from jail was necessary for free and fair elections. He demanded that the state of emergency be withdrawn without delay. "You have yourself said that it would be best if the emergency was withdrawn well before elections," Zillur said to chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda. "We think the emergency must go right now," he said. The AL advocated banning "anti-liberation forces and religion-based political parties" from contesting polls.