"Our beloved motherland has been faced with a difficult challenge. Today, the greatest challenge for us is to uphold and strengthen democratic rule by ensuring political and social stability, holding free and fair elections and ensuring people's voting right," he said in his maiden address to the nation over radio and television.

Fakhruddin, who assumed office on January 12 to head a reconstituted caretaker government, said the main task of his government is to hold a free, fair, peaceful and neutral election with participation of all parties in accordance with the constitution and people's aspiration.

He, however, noted that any general election turns meaningless if not held following the essential rules and regulations of elections and creating a cherished atmosphere. Therefore, the main objective of this government is to create a congenial environment for holding transparent, peaceful and truly democratic elections.

Promising to reconstitute the EC, the chief adviser said it is unpleasant but true that the activities of past Election Commissions did not keep them above questions and doubts. And the incumbent Election Commission has also landed into controversies. "Therefore, reconstitution of the Election Commission has become imperative," he said.

About debates on the voters' list, he said it is equally urgent to prepare and publish a flawless electoral roll for holding such credible elections. "This presupposes formulation of a specific work plan and its implementation. Our efforts will have to be all-out to implement it--and we must succeed in accomplishing these tasks."

Regarding demands for voter ID cards and transparent ballot boxes, he said necessary steps would be taken in this respect after examining the matters.

"The nation does not want to backslide once again and go fall back into past instability and intolerable situation," he said in an apparent emotion-charged address to the nation, against the backdrop of nagging disturbances in the country over the issues of election.

Fakhruddin however stopped short of mentioning any timeframe for the parliamentary elections --earlier set for January 22, and just cancelled yesterday.

About the influence of black money and muscle power on election, he said the present caretaker government is determined to free the election from corruption and terrorism. He assured that tough measures would be taken to reform the overall election process and system so black money and muscle power cannot obstruct a fair election as well as true reflection of people's will.

Fakhruddin said appropriate steps would be taken to ensure the statement of assets and sources of income of intending election candidates and prove the authenticity of their statements.

"We want banishment of muscle power and illegal money from the election arena," he said, expressing the hope that political parties will extend all-out cooperation in this respect by way of reflecting it in the political culture, including nomination process.

The chief adviser, also a former governor of Bangladesh Bank, deplored that pervasive corruption and plundering of national wealth by a handful of dishonest people pushed the national economy, society and politics backward, into a disastrous state. This has jeopardised country's image in world forums.

"Such a situation cannot be allowed to continue," he said in his speech, informing the people that tough activities will be started soon in a methodical way to curb the vice of corruption.

Saying that the people want a stern action against the corrupt, he said the Anti-Corruption Commission and related government organisations would be restructured and activated to make them action-oriented, free from all sorts of influence.

About civil administration Fakhruddin said the country's administration would have to be turned non-party and neutral, failing which establishment of a fair democratic system and holding neutral general election is not possible.

"Government officials will have to remember that political parties are not their masters. They (government official) are neutral workers and public servants of the republic," said the head of the interim government.

He said the government employees would have to remain free from unwanted influence of partisan politics.

On the judiciary, Fakhruddin said the judicial department would have to be independent and neutral, and mentioned that the present caretaker government has taken a bold step to separate the judiciary from the executive within a short time.

"We want the image of judiciary held high, the rule of law and justice established on a firm foundation," he said about his government's intentions.

Turning to price hike of essentials, he said port mismanagement, extortion in goods transportation and controlling the market by a few unscrupulous business syndicates as well as various ill-attempts cause trouble in supply of goods to market and put negative impact on price of essentials.

He declared that appropriate and stern action would be taken against such rent-seekers.

Fakhruddin said steps would be taken soon to curb corruption in the crisis-ridden power sector and increase electricity supply as much as possible through a sound management.

Citing hardships in trade and public life owing to erratic power supply, he observed that rising demand for power and deficit in supply, corruption in distribution and mismanagement not only blighted the potential of industry and production but also caused a lot of misery to normal public life.

"Getting rid of and improve this situation is a must," he said, with a voice fraught with determination for making a leap forward.

The former central bank governor--who has overseen entire socio-economic spectrum of the country from his previous vantage position--said a huge amount of money and time is necessary to set up new power stations. But the economy of the country would be affected further if appropriate steps were not taken right now.

About law and order, the CA said his government has been working relentless to further improve the law-and-order situation, ensure security of public life and property and establish peace and stability in society. "A good law-and-order situation is main determinant of a peaceful and acceptable election as well as continuous development," he said.

He mentioned that already the armed forces, police, BDR, Rab and other law-enforcing agencies have launched combined and combing operations. "Tough legal measures are being taken against godfathers, listed criminals, terrorists, extortionists and anti-social elements," he said.

Tough steps also are being taken against bombing "in the name of holy religion, extremist activities, illegal arms and smugglers". The CA expressed his belief that law-and-order situation has improved following these steps.

Such operations and activities would be further strengthened, he added.

Fakhruddin noted that as a nation the people believe in peace-harmony, human rights and democratic values. And Bangladesh kept fostering traditional and cordial friendly attitude towards all countries, particularly toward the neighbouring countries.

"We are determined to carry on operation against international extremism and terrorism. In this regard, our activities at home and abroad are guided by internationally recognised rules and principles and values," he observed, adding that the government is committed to properly following the guidelines of the United Nations and strengthening the ties.

"We want to go ahead on the democratic path keeping good relations with all countries on the basis of equal dignity, giving appropriate importance to regional cooperation," the chief adviser said.