The CEC told this during his meeting with the visiting five-member European Union (EU) Troika delegation led by Andreas Michaelis, director general for Asian and Pacific Affairs of the German Foreign Office.

The delegation also comprising four others from Germany, the European Commission, European Council Secretariat and the Portugal embassy in New Delhi discussed how the EC's consultations with political parties could be started without infringing on the ban of indoor political activities.

"We have taken a pilot project to prepare a new voter list. The project will be complete by the end of June and we will be able to declare a roadmap of elections by the middle of July," the CEC told reporters after the meeting at the EC.

He said the Troika delegation enquired about the roadmap of the election, especially regarding the 18-month timeframe.

About the reform of political parties, the EC told the delegation that they would do as far as possible within the mandate they have in the Constitution and Representatives of People Order.

EU delegation chief Michaelis said a reliable voter roll is required for a meaningful, comprehensive and fair election in Bangladesh and for that purpose the process may take some time.

He said they will welcome the EC's roadmap for elections and the EU Troika is considering the possibility of giving financial support through the UNDP project in the preparation of a voter list.

The EC seems committed to their professional job and the EU is ready to provide support for it, Michaelis said, adding that now they stand ready for sending an observer mission in due course of preparations for general elections in Bangladesh.

Election commissioners M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen M Sakhawat Hussain were present at the meeting.

TROIKA MEET ARMY CHIEF
The EU Troika delegation yesterday called on Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed at the Army headquarters.

The delegation arrived in Dhaka on June 6 on a four-day visit to evaluate the current political situation, state of human rights, political reforms and progress in the preparations towards holding the next parliamentary elections.