Polls by end of 2008
Reiterates CA
Unb, Dhaka
Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the general election will be held by the end of 2008 in accordance with the timetable set by the Election Commission.The CA stated this when visiting former US ambassador to Bangladesh William B Milam called on him at his office. During the meeting, they held candid discussion on the reform measures being undertaken by the present caretaker government for ensuring a level playing field prior to holding the next general election, according to an official. The CA told the former US ambassador that the government is doing everything in a transparent manner as per law of the land. He elaborated on institutional, legal and policy reforms undertaken in various sectors, especially in administrative, electoral and anti-corruption areas. Milam, senior policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington, lauded the reform measures taken by the caretaker government. The CA said the present government is directly accountable to the people and taking into account the views and opinions of the grassroots people as well as the media on a day-to-day basis. He said the armed forces are also assisting the government in specific areas like maintaining law and order and drive against corruption as per the country's legal provisions. Milam observed that he found tremendous support for the caretaker government among the general people of Bangladesh and assured all kinds of cooperation for the people and government of Bangladesh. Milam was accompanied by Chairman of the US-based America-Bangladesh Advisory Council Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury.
|