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UK hopes for polls without emergency

Outgoing HC tells AL, BNP leaders

Staff Correspondent
Outgoing British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury yesterday said the UK government hopes the general election in Bangladesh would be held without a state of emergency in force.
He ^aid if a complete withdrawal is not possible, emergency should be lifted to the maximum extent as soon as possible.
He made the observations while talking to reporters after separate meetings with Awami League's (AL) acting president Zillur Rahman and BNP chairperson-appointed secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain.
During discussions with the UK envoy, Zillur said his party would not participate in any election without its president while Delwar said former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina would have to be freed without delay.
Anwar Choudhury said he hopes there would be a free, fair and credible election by this yearend and Bangladesh will make a step towards democracy by forming a meaningful parliament.
He also observed that the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission are working in unison towards an acceptable election according to the electoral roadmap.
He declined to comment when asked what if the two major political parties opt not to take part in the election without their heads.
He however said what is important is that there should be a level playing field so all political parties can participate in the election without having to suffer any discrimination or disadvantages. “If there is a level playing field, it is up to players to play."
The UK envoy said he is pleased to see “good progress being made in some critical areas like prepara tion of the voter list, which should be finished in July”
Everyone should strive to take the country towards a middleincome nation by 2020, he added.
Coming out of Zillur's Gulshan residence, Choudhury told reporters, “It was a farewell call. We've discussed many things—the cur-
rent state of affairs, concerns and hopes, and the forthcoming elec-
The AL acting chief said he had talked about his party's demands at the 45-minute meeting that began at 11:00am.
"We've told him that first and foremost we want release of Sheikh Hasina. Our demands include withdrawal of the state of emergency. announcement of the election date and an end to price spiral of essentials."
Later, the Bangladesh-born British high commissioner went to meet Delwar at thelatter’s Nam flat.
Talking about the meeting, the senior BNP leader told reporters, “We again said the two leaders must be freed and allowed to take part in the election to strengthen democracy."
He said people would not accept any stage-managed polls.
Besides, he said, the state of emergency must be lifted to restore the rights ofpolitical parties.
“The government is filing cases to harass people while human rights violations have become commonplace," Delwar observed, adding that those detained are deprived of the treatmen t they are entitled to.