UN chief concerned over pre-poll unrest in Bangladesh

United Nations, Nov 28 (UNI) UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressing concern at the unrest in Bangladesh ahead of elections scheduled for January 21 next year said a senior UN official will be despatched to the South Asian nation.

In a statement issued yesterday by his spokesman, Mr Annan said he wanted to ''underscore the importance of a peaceful and transparent environment so that these important elections can enjoy the full confidence of the people of Bangladesh.'' Mr Annan said a senior UN official will visit Bangladesh beginning tomorrow on his behalf ''to offer continued UN support to the process.'' The envoy, who will be in Dhaka until Friday, is scheduled to hold meetings with the head of the caretaker government and other senior officials, as well as election authorities, representatives of political parties and non-governmental organisations.

The impoverished nation is slated to hold national elections, but demonstrations and clashes between supporters of rival political groups in recent weeks have left at least three people dead, according to news reports.

Under the constitution, the caretaker government is entrusted with overseeing and ensuring free and fair elections.

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