Bangladesh poll chief rules out delaying election

DHAKA, Dec 21 (Reuters) The head of Bangladesh's Election Commission today rejected opposition demands for a delay to parliamentary elections set for next month, as protests in support of electoral reforms turned violent.

''Is Bangladesh facing a disaster like tsunami, earthquake or a cyclone, which could have warranted such a delay?'' asked Mahfuzur Rahman, acting chief election commissioner.

''Unless there is such an emergency on hand to tackle, I don't see any possibility of pushing the election behind schedule,'' he told reporters. The impoverished south Asian country is regularly hit by storms and floods.

Rahman's remarks appeared to be a final rejection of demands by a 14-party alliance led by Sheikh Hasina, chief of Awami League, that the election set for January 22 be delayed until reforms are implemented. Hasina says they are vital to ensure a free and fair poll.

HOPE FOR CREDIBLE ELECTION Hasina has asked for a delay to allow time for campaigning, to prepare a ''flawless'' voter list and to issue voter identity cards.

Her alliance wants the removal of election commissioners she accuses of bias towards her rival Begum Khaleda Zia, and the resignation of President Iajuddin Ahmed, head of the caretaker government, who she says has failed to act independently.

''A congenial atmosphere for a free and fair election does not exist in the country now,'' Hasina told European Union officials yesterday.

She rejected as insufficient a government move to send on leave one of the election commissioners she accuses of bias.

Khaleda, who ended her five-year term as prime minister on October 29 and handed power to the interim authority, rejects the idea of any delay in the election.

She accuses Hasina of ''plotting to push the country into a constitutional crisis, destroy democracy and ruin the economy''.

Bangladesh's constitution requires elections to be held within three months of the expiry of the tenure of a government.

A European Union mission observing pre-election conditions in Bangladesh today said there was still hope for a credible election next month.

''I believe if all political parties ... work responsibly towards a genuine election, there is still hope for the reflection of the people's will,'' mission chief Alexander Graf Lambsdorff told a news conference.

Reuters YA GC2342