Army assures no military intervention in polls: UN chief
Monday, 3 November 2008
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Sunday Bangladesh's military leadership had assured him that there would be no army intervention in holding the December 18 parliamentary polls in free and fair way, report agencies.
"They will not interfere or intervene in any political process - this is what I was assured from the military leadership," the secretary general told reporters at the wrap-up press conference of his two-day visit, at the city's Sonargaon Hotel.
He said he was also encouraged by assurances from the government.
"I was assured by the caretaker government that they would put their best effort to ensure fair and credible and free election. They will try to ensure the atmosphere and security and everything so that there can be free and credible elections", said Ban.
"I am aware of the concerns and demands by the major stakeholders demanding the lifting of the state of emergency before this election is held," he said.
"I have discussed this issue with the chief of the caretaker authorities, also with the political party leaders. And I have asked them to resolve the issue through dialogue between the government authorities and the political party leaders.
"They will not interfere or intervene in any political process - this is what I was assured from the military leadership," the secretary general told reporters at the wrap-up press conference of his two-day visit, at the city's Sonargaon Hotel.
He said he was also encouraged by assurances from the government.
"I was assured by the caretaker government that they would put their best effort to ensure fair and credible and free election. They will try to ensure the atmosphere and security and everything so that there can be free and credible elections", said Ban.
"I am aware of the concerns and demands by the major stakeholders demanding the lifting of the state of emergency before this election is held," he said.
"I have discussed this issue with the chief of the caretaker authorities, also with the political party leaders. And I have asked them to resolve the issue through dialogue between the government authorities and the political party leaders.