E-Paper
US demands time-frame for Bangladesh polls
The EC has not yet specified any time-frame for holding the stalled January 22 elections.
The US has demanded a "time-frame" for holding the stalled parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, saying the people in the South Asian country were anxious to know about the poll process.
"We are impressed with the ongoing activities of the Election Commission...We urged the Election Commission (EC) to declare a time-frame when the elections are likely to be held, because the people of Bangladesh want to know it," said Patricia A Butenis, the US ambassador in Bangladesh.
The people are concerned about the election and so, the government should disclose its measures regarding holding of the election, the US ambassador said after meeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda on Tuesday.
Media reports based on sources said the CEC may soon come out with a tentative time-frame for holding the stalled elections and the EC's progress regarding electoral reforms.
The EC has not yet specified any time-frame for holding the stalled January 22 elections but has initiated a number of electoral reforms, which are expected to be completed only by July.
Butenis said he discussed the Election Commission's electoral reforms, its preparation for a voter's list, voter identity cards and reforms of political parties.
