Prez must declare emergency: Bangla Biz Federation

Dhaka, Jan 6: As pre-election politics turned uncertain followingthe opposition's decision to boycott the January 22 general elections,the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI)today urged President Iajuddin Ahmed to declare emergency to save thecountry from confrontation.

The grand alliance led by Awami League President Sheikh Hasinathat declared the election boycott will enforce the nationwide roadblockade on January 7-8 to resist the unilateral election.

Ms Hasina has threatened non-stop blockade for 10 days if thecaretaker government of President Iajuddin Ahmed does not cancel theJanuary 22 polls and go for fresh elections with a correct voter list.

After a Board meeting, FBCCI acting president Mohammad Ali urgedthe President to "save the country at any cost by declaring emergency"as there is no alternative to get rid of the present political crisis.

He said "we are very much anxious about the present situation, ifthis persists the economy will be ruined and the country will beheading towards destruction." Meanwhile, the European Union todayexpressed deep concern and disappointment at the recent developmentsrelating to the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, in particularthe decision by major parties to boycott the January 22 polls.

''Failure of the current electoral process would be a majorsetback for democracy in Bangladesh and for the internationalcredibility of the country,'' the EU in a statement said.

They said the efforts to secure electoral conditions which commandthe confidence of all parties and the electorate have not yetsucceeded. This threatens to deny the people of Bangladesh theopportunity to fully enjoy their democratic right to vote. It furtherraises the prospect of protracted instability costing the country inhuman, developmental and economic terms.

The EU called on all parties and stakeholders in the Bangladeshelection process, including the caretaker government and the ElectionCommission, to work urgently and cooperatively towards a solution whichmeets the rights and expectations of the people of Bangladesh and whichsatisfies international democratic standards.

The EU urged all democratic stakeholders to pursue such a solutionin a spirit of compromise and at all costs to refrain from the use ofviolence. In the absence of this, the EU expresses concern that it willnot be possible for the EU Election Observation Mission to proceed ashoped.

UNI