Bangladesh army to keep order ahead of disputed poll

DHAKA, Jan 10 (Reuters) Bangladesh's interim government drafted in the army today to maintain peace ahead of disputed elections that have already sparked large-scale violence.

''The army, with powers to arrest anyone without a warrant will begin their duties today to keep law and order before and during the elections,'' one defence official told Reuters.

Several major parties have boycotted the poll, due January 22, accusing the interim authority of failing to provide conditions for a free and fair vote.

The political stalemate has fuelled clashes between police and political activists. At least 45 people have been killed and hundreds injured since the interim government of President Iajuddin Ahmed took charge on October 29.

Iajuddin, who is also constitutional head of the armed forces, asked the army to actively assist with civil administration from January 10 and to maintain order throughout the poll until power was transferred to the elected government.

Defence officials said around 60,000 army troops would be on duty across the country for 20 days from today.

Thousands of police and paramilitary troops, already on the streets of the capital Dhaka and other major cities during a three-day nationwide transport blockade that ended yesterday, would also be on duty, they said.

The paralysing blockade, in which at least 230 people were injured, was called by a multi-party alliance led by Sheikh Hasina, chief of the Awami League and a former prime minister.

Transport links returned to normal today but residents of this impoverished South Asian country rushed out to buy food and essentials -- often at higher prices because of the blockade -- fearing more strikes and shutdowns ahead of the vote.

Hasina was due to address a rally in Dhaka later today where she would announce new plans to resist the elections.

''Only god knows where we are heading to,'' said one disgruntled government official.

Hasina and her allies have shunned the ballot and called on Iajuddin to resign.

They want poll officials they accuse of bias towards the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), led by Hasina's rival and immediate past prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, to be removed, as well as an overhaul of the voters' list and the announcement of new election schedules.

Awami general secretary Abdul Jalil said late yesterday Iajuddin was acting like a dictator and vowed to resist the ballot, but Iajuddin and the Election Commission have promised to hold elections as scheduled.

Khaleda ended her five-year rule as prime minister in late October and handed power to the interim authority. Under the constitution, new elections must be held within three months.

Western and European diplomats have said an election without participation of all major parties would not be credible or acceptable to the international community, but acting Chief Election Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman shrugged off the comments.

''Our job is to hold the election on the due date. If it is considered not credible or unacceptable to anyone, that is the responsibility of the interim authority and the politicians,'' he said, without elaborating.

REUTERS AKJ HS1412