Kofi Annan asks caretaker govt to ensure level playing field
Unb, Dhaka
Outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has urged the Bangladesh caretaker government to ensure a level playing field, particularly through restoration of confidence in the Election Commission (EC).In a statement on Friday, he also called on the army to continue to play a neutral role, thereby creating an environment for peaceful elections. Renewing alarm about pre-election unrest in Bangladesh, he called for restraint and compromise among Bangladesh's major political players amid concern at the continuing violence and tensions ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for next month. The statement released by his spokesman, Annan said he "hopes that all parties will make the necessary compromises to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral environment." Spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed the secretary general's appreciation for efforts by political parties to refrain from use of violence in their programme and urged continued restraint. Late last month, Annan sent a senior UN election official to Bangladesh to hold meetings with key political and election figures.
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