Bangladesh to hold polls between December 21 and 23

Colombo, Aug.1 : Senior officials accompanying the Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, today said here that elections would take place between December 21 and 23.

They also confirmed that 85 million biometric cards have already been issued. Bangladesh has a total population of 150,448,339 as of July 2007.

If the election does take place, it will be after 23 months of military-backed civilian emergency rule.

The interim government has vowed to hold free, fair and credible elections before the end of 2008.

The United States has been exerting pressure on the Government of Bangladesh to restore democracy.

Earlier in this week, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asian and South Asia Affairs, Richard Boucher, told former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is undergoing medical treatment in the United States and in London that democracy is the only option and elections in Bangladesh must take place soon.

When asked about the Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami-Bangladesh's alleged involvement in terror strikes in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, a Bangladeshi official said: "We have taken action against the HUJI. We share actionable intelligence with India which is less publicised, but very effective." By Naveen Kapoor

ANI