They also urged prompt withdrawal of the state of emergency and restoration of full civic and political rights to all citizens of Bangladesh.

"There is a need for a public roadmap outlining reforms, including correcting the voter list, to ensure that the election is free, fair, transparent and credible," the senators said in a letter to Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed on May 14.

They stressed input of the political parties and civil society leaders in the roadmap for restoration of a democratically elected government. "We understand that elections, originally scheduled for January 22, 2007, have been postponed until the end of 2008 at the latest," they said.

Signatories to the letter include three current presidential candidates including former first lady Hillary Clinton, five former presidential candidates, one former vice presidential candidate and 10 members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The letter said, "We also want to express our strong concern over the ongoing state of emergency and the slow progress towards free and fair elections in Bangladesh."

It went on, "We are troubled that the indoor ban on political activity was not lifted, as planned, on May 8 ... We look forward to the resumption of safe, outdoor political action. Freedom of assembly, like freedom of the press, is essential to any democracy."

Meanwhile, Fakhruddin met President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday and informed him that the government is working for holding parliamentary election by 2008. He also apprised the president of various activities of the government and the recently held 14th Saarc Summit in India.

The senators supported political, electoral and institutional reforms in Bangladesh. Applauding efforts in Bangladesh for address corruption, they said it is a major impediment to economic development and poverty alleviation.

"We believe it is critically important that any anti-corruption campaign be implemented in conjunction with Bangladeshi law and international standards. Due process and respect for human rights should be fundamental components of the effort," the letter said.

"We are particularly concerned about custodial deaths in the course of the anti-corruption campaign and -- it is vital that such deaths, and all custodial abuses, be prevented."

The senators said, "As friends and supporters of Bangladesh, we believe that the timely improvement of political conditions is in the national interest of both countries."

Ten of the signatories are Democrats (D), four are Republicans (R) and the other is an independent senator.

The signatories are Joseph Biden (D), a presidential candidate in 1988 and 2008 and present chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Richard Lugar (R), 1996 republican presidential candidate, ranking member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a former chairman of the same committee; John Kerry (D), 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, chairman Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs; Norm Coleman (R), ranking member Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee -- Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs; Hillary Clinton (D), 2008 US presidential candidate, former first lady of the United States 1992-2000; Edward Kennedy (D), 1980 presidential candidate; Barbara Boxer (D), Chairwoman Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Chris Dodd (D), 2008 presidential candidate; Russell Feingold (D), member senate foreign relations near East and South and Central Asian Affairs Subcommittee; Joe Lieberman (independent), 2004 presidential candidate, 2000 democratic vice presidential nominee; Frank Lautenberg (D), member Senate Appropriations Committee; Charles Schumer (D), chairman Democratic Senatorial campaign committee; John Sununu (R), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs Subcommittee; Robert Menendez (D), chairman Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection; and Johnny Isakson (R), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.