UN chief to observe poll preparation, meet CA

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on November 1 or 2 to observe first-hand the situation in the build-up to the December 18 national election.
During the visit, he will have talks with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and other advisers of the caretaker government.
UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Renata Lok Dessallien yesterday said this at a meeting with the Awami League sub-committee on foreign affairs.
The meeting arranged as part of preparations for the UN chief's visit was held at the sub-committee Chairman Faruk Ahmed Chowdhury's Dhanmondi residence.
An advanced team for Ban Ki-moon's visit is already in Dhaka. The team members led by Hitoki Den were with Dessallien to meet the AL body.
Talking to journalists later, Dessallien, also UNDP resident representative, said participation of all political parties in the election is a must for a peaceful transition of power. The UN wants the election to be held on schedule and in a manner free and fair.
She said the parties should be allowed to conduct normal polls activities to have a free and credible election on December 18. But this has to be settled through talks between the parties and the government.
Asked about the difference of views over issues like withdrawal of the state of emergency, she said both sides should seek innovative solutions in this regard.
Replying to another question, she said the UN is confident that the general election would be held in time with participation of all parties.
At the meeting, members of the AL body told the UN team that the polls must be held as scheduled. They said they will not take part in it if AL President Sheikh Hasina is not released unconditionally to contest the election.
"We told them that we want to participate in the upcoming parliamentary election under the leadership of Hasina," Faruk Chowdhury, also a member of the AL advisory council, told The Daily Star.
He said the current political situation and election, among other issues, came up for discussions.
"We explained our position, and said the state of emergency will for sure get in the way of a free and fair conduct of the election. So, withdrawal of emergency is a must," said the former diplomat.
Members of the sub-committee Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, HT Imam, Mahmud Ali, Momtaz Hossain were present at the meeting.
The UN team is scheduled to meet BNP leaders today.