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US for free, fair, fully participatory election

Staff Correspondent
The US wants to see a free, fair and a full participatory parliamentary election in Bangladesh by the end of this year, as promised by the present caretaker government.
US Charge d'AfTaires Geeta Pasi yesterday in separate meetings with leaders of Awami League (AL) and Saifur Rahman-led faction of BNP, cleared her government's position on the upcoming national election, saying that her government wants to see complete implementation of the electoral roadmap
"As we supported the Election Commission announced electoral roadmap, the US hopes that the next election will be held no later than December 2008," Geeta Pasi told journalists after a meeting with key leaders of AL.
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She also said the US is closely monitoring the trials of corruption suspects including the trials of two former prime ministers, and noted that the US embassy had requested permission to send observers to the trials of Sheikh Hasina.
Geeta Pasi said she will continue her talks with the other faction of BNP as well as with other political parties.
During the meeting between the US charge d'affaires and proSaifur faction of BNP, leaders of the latter demanded holding of the stalled ninth parliamentary election by September while strongly opposing the military backed caretaker government's plan to hold local government elections before the national poll.
The AL leaders however said they do not have any problem with the roadmap, but they also want the parliamentary election to be held before local governmentpolls.
Geeta Pasi met the AL leaders in their Acting President Zillur Rahman's Gulshan residence in the morning, and in the afternoon she met Saifur-led leaders of BNP in Saifur’s residence also in Gulshan.
Both meetings discussed the overall political situation in the country, the status of electoral
roadmap's implementation, and the proposed dialogues between the government and political parties among other issues.
During both meetings the US charge d'affaires reiterated her government's desire to see political parties playing important roles in the electoral process.
"The US hopes that the next election will be held no later than December 2008 and that the incumbent caretaker government will do everything required for holding the election on time," she told journalists after the meetings.
She also noted the importance of dialogues between the government and political parties in order to create an environment conducive to holding elections.
Geeta Pasi said she believes political parties in the country are preparing for the parliamentary election.
Briefing journalists after AL's meeting with Pasi, Acting AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said like the US they also want the national election to be held according to the EC’s roadmap, and demand lifting of the ongoing state of emergency ahead of the poll.
"At the meeting we told her that we don't have any problem with the roadmap. But we want
the parliamentary election first and then the local government elections," he said.
He also said they told Pasi that the proposed dialogues between the government and political parties should begin without any further delay.
The AL leader said Geeta Pasi is very much concerned about their detained chief Hasina's health and she would like to see that Hasina's proper treatment is ensured either at home or abroad. Pasi also stressed that Hasina’s human rights should be ensured at any cost, the AL leader informed the journalists.
Meanwhile, leaders of Saifur-led faction of BNP during their meeting with Pasi, told her that they want the national election to be held by September.
"I think holding the national election is the main task of the present government, and that is why it should concentrate on it," acting chairman of the BNP faction, Saifur Rahman, told journalists after the meeting.
He said, "The national election can be held in September easily if the voter list can be readied by June according to the Election Commission's promise."
Local government elections must be subordinate to the national election, he said when asked about the government's plan to hold local government elections soon.
"The economic situation of the country might deteriorate further unless a democratic government comes to power through an election," he warned.
When asked about the demand of his rival faction for resignation of the chief election commissioner, Saifur Rahman said, "I have enough faith in him."
Replying to a question he said his faction will participate in dialogues if they are invited by the government.
He also expressed his support to the EC’s electoral reform proposals, saying, "We almost agree with the summary of the Election Commission's proposals."