Parliament elections in Bangladesh rescheduled on December 29

Dhaka, Nov 23 (UNI) Bangladesh Election Commission today rescheduled the Parliament elections on December 29 in a bid to accommodate all political parties in the fray.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr Shamsul Huda announced the changed date deferring the elections from December 18 to December 29.

Earlier, Awami League-led grand alliance headed by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accepted December 18 but her rival and also a former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's four party alliance opposed the date for lack of preparation for the elections.

After hectic meetings with both the camps, Dr Huda announced the changed date for the elections to the country's ninth Parliament.

''We hope all political parties will now take part in the elections,'' he told the media.

According to the new schedule, last date for filing nomination papers is November 30, scrutiny of nomination papers will be on December 3-4, last date for withdrawl of nomination papers is December 11 and polling day is December 29.

UNI XC RJ UCS1737