Bangladesh Commission extends deadline for filing nomination papers

Dhaka, Dec 24 (UNI) The Bangladesh Election Commission has extended the deadline for filing nomination papers to December 26 as a last minute attempt to lure the opposition to take part in the country's general elections.

However, the polling date of January 22 remains unchanged in the latest rescheduling, officials said.

The rescheduling was announced in a government gazette notification today, the day previously re-fixed for filing of nomination papers for candidates who intend to contest the polls to elect a new parliament.

In its fifth such attempt to ensure an all-party participation in the election, which has recently hit a political impasse in the run-up, the Election Commission said it changed the schedule to enable candidates to file their nomination papers, according to an Election Commission official.

The rescheduling came on the request by the Council of Advisors of the interim caretaker government headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed.

After a lengthy meeting last night, the Council of Advisors decided to request the Election Commission to extend the date of filing nominations by two days to December 26.

''The Council of Advisors has decided to request the Election Commission to extend the date of filing nominations by two days at the request of the AL-led grand alliance,'' Information Advisor Mahbubul Alam told reporters late last night.

Asked whether the grand alliance led by opposition leader Sheikh Hasina would go to the polls after this change in the election schedule, he said, ''Some leaders of the alliance have told us they would ask their leaders to rush back to their constituencies if this is done.'' An eight-member delegation from the 14-party combine had met the Election Commission and the Council of Advisors were engaged in a meeting before the notification was announced on the change in election schedule.

The Awami League led 14-party combine of Sheikh Hasina has been pressing the caretaker government to defer the polls even beyond the stipulated 90 days since the dissolution of Parliament on October 27.

The rescheduling was one of their numerous demands as preconditions for creating an environment conducive to a fair election and their participation in the polls. It is not yet clear if Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina's alliance would join the January 22 elections. Political observers however said the deferring of the date for filing nomination papers might help the opposition alliance to participate in the elections.

UNI XC PB HS1259