Polls before 2008-end, says Bangladesh Chief Advisor

Dhaka, Jan.10 : General elections in Bangladesh would be held before the end of 2008, a private news agency quoted Fakhruddin Ahmed, the Chief Advisor of the interim government as telling visiting Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan on Wednesday.

Ahmed said the main objective of the government is to hold a free, fair and credible election within the targeted timeframe and the Election Commission is working to this end following its announced roadmap.

His comments came a day after four advisors of his 11-member interim cabinet quit.

Both Ahmed and army chief General Moeen U Ahmed have pledged to stage the polls in time.

The current government took over on January 12 last year with crucial military backing amid heightened political tension ahead of the now-postponed polls on January 22.

ANI