Political activities to be allowed immediately
Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said restrictions on political activities will go immediately after announcement of election schedule, but no official decision came after the schedule was laid out later in the day.
A home ministry source however said a draft on lifting the curbs is ready, adding that a gazette notification detailing the government decision will be issued today.
Adviser Zillur said political parties in their dialogues with the government had demanded complete freedom and start of political activities along the election process.
"We understand it's important to fulfil their demands. They will be fulfilled through a gazette notification on announcement of the election schedule," he told a press briefing at the communications ministry.
He talked to the reporters after holding a meeting with three other advisers--Communications Adviser Ghulam Quader, Local Government Adviser Anwarul Iqbal and Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff, at the communications ministry.
Zillur however stopped short of saying whether the emergency rules will be withdrawn.
"A successful election with participation of all political parties is an important milestone for us. We've got to reach this successfully."
As per Section 3 of the Emergency Power Ordinance promulgated through a gazette notification on January 25 in 2007, the government restricted processions, demonstrations, hartals and strikes across the country.
Rallies, processions and functions relating to religious, social and state affairs were however kept out of the restrictions.
The emergency rules allow the government to ban any meetings, processions, demonstrations and any news or information deemed harmful in the interest of public security and peace.
The government later relaxed the emergency power, allowing political parties to hold indoor political rallies on a small scale.
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