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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh polls 'by end of 2008' | Bangladesh polls 'by end of 2008' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The head of Bangladesh's caretaker government says he expects to hold elections by the end of 2008. | The head of Bangladesh's caretaker government says he expects to hold elections by the end of 2008. |
| In a nation-wide television address, Fakhruddin Ahmed said free and fair elections would be held after the introduction of reforms. | In a nation-wide television address, Fakhruddin Ahmed said free and fair elections would be held after the introduction of reforms. |
| The announcement has been welcomed by one of the country's main parties. | |
| The army-backed interim government postponed elections due to have been held in January after months of street protests and violence. | |
| "I hope the holding of elections will be possible before the end of the year 2008 and that it will be fully free and honest," Mr Ahmed said in a broadcast on state television and radio. | "I hope the holding of elections will be possible before the end of the year 2008 and that it will be fully free and honest," Mr Ahmed said in a broadcast on state television and radio. |
| Ban plea | Ban plea |
| "Steps have been taken so that criminals, terrorists and black money holders cannot participate in the elections and corrupt democracy," he added. | "Steps have been taken so that criminals, terrorists and black money holders cannot participate in the elections and corrupt democracy," he added. |
| Mr Ahmed said the interim government would not stay in power a day longer than necessary. | Mr Ahmed said the interim government would not stay in power a day longer than necessary. |
| The announcement has been welcomed by the main opposition Awami League party. | The announcement has been welcomed by the main opposition Awami League party. |
| The interim government is backed by the military | The interim government is backed by the military |
| "This is the first time the government announced a specific timeframe for elections. Of course we welcome this timeframe," Abdul Jalil, general secretary of the Awami League, was quoted by news agency AFP as saying. | "This is the first time the government announced a specific timeframe for elections. Of course we welcome this timeframe," Abdul Jalil, general secretary of the Awami League, was quoted by news agency AFP as saying. |
| Mr Jalil called on the government to lift the ban on political activities "so that we can discuss with the election commission the reforms and other poll-related issues". | Mr Jalil called on the government to lift the ban on political activities "so that we can discuss with the election commission the reforms and other poll-related issues". |
| Last week, Bangladesh's chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said it would take at least 18 months before new elections could be called. | Last week, Bangladesh's chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said it would take at least 18 months before new elections could be called. |
| He said the delay was needed to allow time to prepare new voting lists and new electoral laws. | He said the delay was needed to allow time to prepare new voting lists and new electoral laws. |
| The interim government postponed elections, which were due on 22 January, after months of street protests and violence. | The interim government postponed elections, which were due on 22 January, after months of street protests and violence. |
| The US has called for a clear timetable on the restoration of democracy. | The US has called for a clear timetable on the restoration of democracy. |
| At present all political activity is banned. Dozens of senior politicians and associates have been arrested on corruption charges. | At present all political activity is banned. Dozens of senior politicians and associates have been arrested on corruption charges. |
| The government has vowed not to hold new elections until it has cleared up corruption. | The government has vowed not to hold new elections until it has cleared up corruption. |