Bangladesh president seeks army help at elections

DHAKA, Nov 8 (Reuters) Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed urged the armed forces today to help ensure free and fair elections next year, as feuding politicians continued squabbling amid fears of fresh violence.

''The armed forces of Bangladesh have earned a reputation at home and abroad by delivering services to people in distress and at times of war and natural disasters,'' Iajuddin told senior commanders at the Dhaka military barracks.

Iajuddin praised the army for keeping calm during recent political violence but he urged them to ''be prepared to assist the state and its people at a time of need''.

It was his first address to the military since taking over the additional responsibility of head of the caretaker government that will oversee parliamentary elections in January.

As the country's figurehead president, Iajuddin is the supreme commander of the armed forces but analysts say his additional role as the caretaker chief has further strengthened his grip on the military.

According to the country's constitution, an election must be held within three months after a previous government ends its five-year mandate and transfers power to a caretaker administration to oversee fresh polls.

Bangladesh is one of the world's biggest contributors to international peacekeeping forces around the world, but the army has occasionally intervened in domestic politics.

MILITARY RULES A Bengal regiment revolted against the Pakistan army to force Bangladesh independence in 1971 and the country has seen at a least four coups or attempted coups since then -- including a period of 15 years of military rule that only ended in 1990.

The two chief rivals at January's polls -- the most recent Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, and the woman she took over from, Sheikh Hasina -- have been at odds over the composition of the caretaker government and the election commission.

Khaleda's BNP want to keep the current appointments, but Hasina's Awami League and its allies accuse them of bias and are demanding sweeping changes.

Abdur Rashid Sarkar, secretary of the election commission, said on Wednesday he expected the election to be held around middle of January.

He said the commission would welcome foreign election observers including those from the Commonwealth and would ensure their safety during the vote.

Abdul Jalil, general secretary of the Awami League, charged that the commission was ''trying to hold a farcical election at the dictation of the BNP, which could push the country to chaos and anarchy.'' The Awami League wants Chief Election Commissioner M A Aziz and his deputies to be removed immediately, accusing them of being loyal to Khaleda and her party.

Aziz said he would not step down even if he was asked to by the caretaker authority.

Iajuddin said his government would extend all cooperation to the commission to hold the election ''to help continue constitutional rule in the country.'' The standoff has triggered fears of widespread violence and political analysts said although Iajuddin's plea to the army on Wednesday contained no specifics, it raised speculation that the military might be called in to control law and order.

At least 30 people have died in political violence since Khaleda was obliged to resign last month.

Reuters AKJ DB2307