CG to hand over power to elected govt in new year

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday reiterated that his government would hand over power to the next elected government in the coming new year.
He told this to the visiting Chief of the European Union Election Observer Mission to Bangladesh Alexander Graf Lampsdorff when the later made a courtesy call on him at Chief Adviser's office.
Fakhruddin said his caretaker government (CG) was determined to hold a free, fair and acceptable election next week in a peaceful and credible manner.
“And the election is going to be held on December 29,” he asserted, apparently dispelling reported doubts about scheduled holding of the JS polls.
In this connection, the CA referred to various efforts taken in the nearly past two years by his government and the Election Commission. Among them are the institutional reforms, political dialogue with all stakeholders, new voter list with photographs, amending electoral rules and regulations and the election code of conduct.
He particularly informed the EU delegation of his government's step on complete withdrawal of State of Emergency from December 17 last.
All these, he said were done to promote democratic and transparent environment in the country so that the people can elect a government of their choice.
Fakhruddin thanked the EU for their support to the government and said his government welcomed election observers from both home and abroad.
The EU Chief Election Observer, who is also member of the European parliament, said they will monitor the coming election maintaining neutrality.
Alexander, who already visited some parts of the country, congratulated the CG and the Election Commission for taking all the preparations for holding the coming parliamentary elections and the upazila elections. All these were “hard and challenging” tasks for the CG, he said.
CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, who was present during the meeting, later briefed newsman about the deliberations.