Bangladesh's December 29 election will not return the country to civilian rule unless those with a stake in the vote -including the international community -- ensure all registered parties contest credible, peaceful polls, says the International Crisis Group.

In a latest analysis on Bangladesh election, the Brussels-based group says the vote and an end to emergency' SEE PAGE IS COL 3 rule do not equal democracy, but are necessary preconditions to the country’s stability.

"Talk of delaying elections has understandable attractions for leaders afraid of underperforming at the polls,” says Michael Shaikh, Crisis Group's Asia Senior Analyst. "But there is no viable alternative to timely elections”.

The political situation is complex and fragile.

Regardless of who wins the election, the next government and the opposition parties will face the challenges of making parliament work and contending with an army that wants a greater say in politics, says the group.

The caretaker government should lift the state of emergency by 17 December, as pledged, and not restrict rights and freedoms necessary for a credible election, it added.

The Election Commission must immediately start a public information campaign on voting procedures, and publish the results promptly and accurately. They should also avoid interfering with the election by putting security personnel in tire polling stations.

The parties must not take the international community's support for elections as an endorsement of their behaviour but rather see it as belated recognition of the dangers of military rule. A sceptical public will offer yet another chance to politicians to deliver on democracy and change, says the group.

“For the parties, the challenge will not end on polling day,” says Rhode rick Chalmers, Crisis Group's South Asia Deputy Project Director. “Managing a smooth transition to democratic functioning will require resisting the winner-takes-all approach and cooperating to tackle the serious difficulties the country faces."