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Responsible role of parties vital to hold free, fair polls

Boucher tells Hasina

Staff Correspondent
US Assistant Secretary of State Richard A Boucher yesterday urged the political parties in Bangladesh to "act responsibly" to ensure a free and fair conduct of the December 18 national election.
He also said there is no confusion that the polls will be held on schedule.
He made the observations while meeting Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina at his Washington office yesterday, report US-based news agencies News World and American News Agency (ANA).
The AL chief, who was accompanied by her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. said holding of the election in time is crucially important for the country's democratic institutions. Boucher, assistant secretary for South and Central Asian affairs, said on several occasions the caretaker administration has told the US government that they are committed to holding the election on December 18.
In response, his country has pledged all-out support in accomplishing the goal, he continued.
They are keeping a close watch on the overall situation. There seems to be no obstacles to holding the polls. Still, the political parties will have to act responsibly.
Hasina, however, pointed out a number of problems in organising a free, fair and credible election. Those include the state of emergency and re-demarcation of constituencies.
She told Boucher that writ
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petitions against the delimitation are still pending at the highest court, and that she is afraid those could provide the pretext for delaying the election.
She said her party thinks the election should be held as per the previous boundaries [of the constituencies] in the event of the re-dcmarcation issue not being solved timely.
The former prime minister said elections under a state of emergency cannot be free and fair. The emergency rules being in force during the election lime might through into question the accept
ability of the polls.
She also said the Election Commission must hand voter rolls with photographs to the polling agents to help identify the ones who would try to cast fake votes.
Ambassador Boucher said they too want the state of emergency to be lifted before the election.
He enquired about Hasina's health and wished her quick recovery.
HASINA,MENON MEET
Workers Party President Rushed Khan Menon met Hasina at Joy's residence in Washington. Among other issues, the latest political situation back home, upcoming
election, electoral alliance, price hike of essentials, and war criminals came up for discussion.
Both the leaders stressed the need for building a secular society and resisting the anti-Liberalion War forces.
Menon told ANA that the AL-led 14-party combine will meet immediately after Hasina's return home. He said she might return on November 9 or 10.
Meanwhile, Hasina will address the leaders and workers of the US chapter of her party tomorrow in Virginia. She is scheduled io leave for London on Novembers.