Diplomats in Dhaka said they felt happy when the Election Commission (EC) unveiled the roadmap to the ninth parliamentary polls, but they are now doubtful if it would be possible to hold the election by the end of 2008.

The reason for their concern is the interim administration's not being able to carry out the political and electoral reforms that are an imperative for a free and fair election even after passing seven months.

They said the government has done some impressive job by cancelling the election set controversially for January 22, reconstituting the EC, Anti-Corruption Commission and Public Service Commission, taking a number of important measures for electoral reforms, and campaigning against corruption.

Among others, the US president has welcomed the roadmap and the caretaker government's commitment to hold the election by the next year.

Taking testimony of US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Gastright on August 1, the congressional committee on foreign affairs hoped that the government would soon lift the ban on political activities and stick to the time limit for the polls.

Talking to The Daily Star, a number of diplomats stationed in Dhaka said there has not been any progress evident in the preparation of voter list, electoral code of conducts and election rules.

They observed that Bangladesh is now at a critical juncture and the most important task for the military-backed administration is to hold the election and hand over power to an elected government.

"We sincerely hope the country will return to the democratic process by holding a free, fair and credible election within the time frame," said Japanese ambassador in Dhaka Masayuki Inoue at a seminar on July 28.

"Of course it would better hold the election earlier than schedule if necessary preparations are completed," the ambassador added.

Many of the diplomats said that the EC seemed to be in a dilemma about whether to prepare a voter roll with photographs, voters ID card or national ID card. It took a long time to reach a decision to that end and still does not seem sure about its action.

Asked about the commission's announcement[to The Daily Star] Thursday that it would hold talks with the political parties next month on electoral reforms regardless of the ban on indoor politics, several envoys said this is definitely a positive move but it is not clear to them how the EC would do that.

"We strongly support the interim government's efforts to fight corruption and appreciate its promise to hold elections by 2008, and we are ready to extend all possible help," said a diplomat from a western country.

"But we want to see a major development to that end by the end of this year. We want to see progress in preparation of the voter list, and political and electoral reforms in the next three to four months," added the envoy.

The progress made by the government so far is not sufficient to hold the election late next year, said a European nation representative adding, "The government should immediately allow limited political activities so the parties can implement their reforms and also sit in a dialogue with the Election Commission on electoral reforms."

Criticising the prolonged state of emergency, the diplomat said, "It seems like this will continue and might have a negative impact on all sectors. It will definitely raise question among the development partners of Bangladesh."

Diplomatic sources said a good number of foreign missions and UN bodies have recently taken opinion from journalists, businessmen and other communities at informal group meetings. There, many came up with negative views about the military-backed administration.

A diplomat of an influential European country said that they have met a cross-section of people on different occasions lately, and prevalent among them appeared to be the doubt about the conduct of an election as per the roadmap.

The official said like theirs, other missions regularly send report on the current political situation, popular views, press cuttings etc to their governments who look forward to reforms and election in Bangladesh.

Diplomats said if there is no significant headway in efforts to hold the election as per the roadmap, their countries might exert pressure on the government in every possible form within the diplomatic norms.

Most of them believe that democracy forms the basis of rule of law. So it is necessary for the country to come out of emergency situation and return to democracy as soon as possible.