"With this man [Mahfuzur Rahman] in charge, it is doubtful whether free and fair elections can be held," said a press release issued by Lord Avebury.

The House of Lords will hold a debate on November 30 on the role of the international community in the forthcoming elections in Bangladesh, the release added.

The participants in the debate will discuss what action the international community might take to persuade the President and Head of the Caretaker government to listen to the people's demand for a level playing field.

The debate is taking place following a conference on 'The Rise of Political Islam in Bangladesh: What's At Stake in the 2007 Elections?' held in London on the November 14, which was jointly chaired by Lord Avebury and Dean Godson of the Policy Exchange.

"Following the resignation of the former Chief Election Commissioner, the controversial MA Aziz, it was hoped that his successor would be a person acceptable to all parties. It was surprising that Justice Mahfuzur Rahman, who is also not seen as neutral, has appointed himself without consultation," the press release said.

"It is the President who should make this appointment, after hearing from his advisers, and unfortunately the irregular proceedings by the Election Commission will prolong the uncertainty about the conduct of the election," it added.

"Justice Mahfuz had already said he will take no action over the 14 million spurious names in the electoral register, to say nothing of the millions of people whose names have been omitted," said the Lord.

"British Bangladeshis are not alone in their anxiety that the January elections should be properly conducted. The number of observers who will be converging on Bangladesh from the EU, the Commonwealth and neighbouring states is an indication of the international community's concern that free and fair elections are in the balance," the release added.