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Elections will be held within EC set timeframe: reiterate President, CEC

Thursday, 23 August 2007


President Iajuddin Ahmed has reiterated that the next parliamentary election would be held within the timeframe set by the Election Commission (EC).
The President said this while outgoing Ambassador of Egypt Ismail Abdel Rahman Ghoneim made a farewell call on him at Bangabhaban in the city Wednesday, reports UNB.
Welcoming the envoy, the President appreciated his sincere efforts in strengthening relations between the two countries during his four-year tenure in Bangladesh and expressed the hope that the ties would be deepened further in the days ahead.
Underscoring the need for enhancing trade and commerce between the two countries, the President said Egyptian investors could invest in Bangladesh as a very congenial atmosphere of investment is prevailing here.
Iajuddin Ahmed praised the role of Al-Azhar University in imparting Islamic education to the students of Muslim countries and said there could be exchange of educational programmes between Bangladesh and Egypt.
He conveyed his sincere wish through the envoy to the President of Egypt.
The Egyptian envoy expressed his gratitude to the government and the people of Bangladesh for cooperation in the discharge of his duties.
Expressing a very high optimistic view on Bangladesh, the envoy said this country would be one of the wealthiest nations in this region within a very short period of time.
Among others, Military Secretary to the President M Aminul Karim, Secretary M Sirajul Islam and Press Secretary Abul Awal Howlader were present.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda Wednesday also reaffirmed that the stalled general elections will be held by December 2008.
"The election will be held by December 2008 and there is no alternative to it," he told a meeting with officials concerned at Khulna city's Zia Hall in the morning.
Deputy Commissioner of Khulna SM Feroz Alam presided over the meeting. Among others, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Mayor Sheikh Tayebur Rahman, 88 Infantry Division chief Nazmul Hossain and Divisional Commissioner M Yunusur Rahman were present.
The CEC sought cooperation of all in preparing the voters' list with photographs for holding the next election in a free and fair manner.
He said: "Under the previous system, one could enroll his or her name as voter from different places, but it's not possible now as the voters' list is being prepared with photographs and this process can ensure a flawless electoral roll."
The CEC said legal action would be taken if anyone tries to enroll his or her name from more than one place.
He said the Election Commission (EC) could not work freely in the past but now it is free from bureaucratic tangle. "Now the Election Commission's only job is to hold neutral and acceptable elections," he added.
He mentioned that the government has approved the allocation of Tk 5.47 billion for preparing the voters' list with photographs.
Later, the CEC inspected voter registration work at Khulna Model School and College as voter listing formally begins in the district today (Thursday).