Bangladesh General Elections on January 21

Dhaka, Nov 27: The Bangladesh Election Commission today announced that that the general elections to elect a new parliament will be held on January 21 next year.

The Commission announced the election schedule amid widespread protests by opposition alliances and parties seeking a flawless electoral roll to be published prior to the declaration of the schedule.

The 14-party alliance opposition, led by Awami League and like minded parties, filed a writ petition in the High Court yesterday seeking injunction on the announcement of the election schedule before the electoral roll is published.

Meanwhile, thousands of opposition demonstrators staged a protest in front of the Bangabhaban, demanding President Iajuddin Ahmed quit the office of the Chief Advisor of the present non-party caretaker government. The demonstrators also protested against the announcement of the election schedule before the voter's lists was published.

The opposition parties have alleged that the draft voter's list contain 14 million fake voters and are, therefore, demanding an update of voter's list by excluding the fake voters.

However, former ruling 4-party alliance of ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia pressed for immediate announcement of the election schedule ignoring the demand of her political opponents.

UNI