Oppn gives interim Govt more time to carry out reforms

The Awami League has given another week to carry out electoral reforms, but threatened to hit the streets if the Govt failed to meet the deadline.

Bangladesh's main opposition Awami League on Friday gave the caretaker government another week to carry out electoral reforms but threatened to hit the streets if it failed to meet the deadline.

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Extending her ultimatum to the interim administration by a week, party chief Sheikh Hasina Wajed said a nationwide communication blockade will be enforced by the Awami League-led 14 party alliance if reforms for free and fair elections were not carried out within the next seven days.

The alliance, which held a rally today at the Paltan Maidan in the city, demanded to see credible steps being taken by the caretaker government for impartial elections.

Earlier, AL had given the interim government led by President Iajuddin Ahmed until today to carry out reforms for level playing field in the polls scheduled for early 2007.

The deadline was extended by a week following a meeting between Sheikh Hasina and two advisors of the caretaker government, party sources said.

Advisers CM Shafi Shami and Sultana Kamal were sent by President and Chief Advisor Ahmed to meet Sheikh Hasina at her residence last night to convey the message that steps were underway to reorganise the election commission - now the major focus of reform.

"We have been told by the council of advisors that effective steps have been taken for reconstitution of the Election Commission," AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil told journalists after yesterday's meeting.

The council was likely to announce a decision about the reorganisation of the election commission next week.