Bangladesh curfew passes peacefully, poll uncertain

DHAKA, Jan 12 (Reuters) Bangladesh's night-time curfew passed peacefully under tight military control today after the head of the country's interim government quit and postponed polls in a dramatic bid to halt political violence.

The impoverished south Asian country now faces uncertainty over when elections will take place following the resignation of President Iajuddin Ahmed, accused of failing to ensure a free and impartial vote.

''His stepping down as caretaker chief has relieved the nation from months of tension,'' said one senior official.

''But it remains to be seen how the country now proceeds towards an election with all parties participating and acceptable to all,'' added the official, who requested anonymity.

Armed troops brought in before Iajuddin declared a state of emergency continued to patrol the streets of the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country in the early hours today.

''Political animosity, mistrust and violence have made life miserable for the people and made the future of democracy uncertain,'' Iajuddin said in a televised address late yesterday.

A presidential spokesman said it was impossible to hold the elections as planned on January 22 because most of the president's council of advisers had quit.

Asked when they might be held, the spokesman said: ''It will be decided in due course.'' Government officials said privately that it could take months before a new ballot took place.

But concern over the poll delay was tempered by hopes of a respite in violence that has killed at least 45 people and injured hundreds since Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia stepped down in October at the end of her five-year term, handing the reins to the interim authority which was tasked to hold polls.

A multi-party alliance headed by Khaleda's rival, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, boycotted the election and demanded Iajuddin resign, alleging he favoured Khaleda's Bangladesh National Party.

The alliance called on elections to be rescheduled to allow time for updating the voters list.

Hasina further encouraged Bangladeshis to take part in a series of paralysing strikes and transport blockades in a bid to derail the ballot. Analysts said she was unlikely now to push ahead with those plans.

Iajuddin said Fazlul Haque, a senior member of his council of advisers, would act as chief of the caretaker authority until he appointed a new council in ''a couple of days''.

REUTERS PDM DS1105