Boycott threat adds to pressure before B'desh poll
18 Dec 2006 14:15:40 GMT Source: Reuters
By Nizam Ahmed DHAKA, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The leader of a multi-party alliance in Bangladesh said on Monday she would boycott elections next month unless reforms were carried out that ensured the poll would be free and fair. Addressing a crowd of about 100,000 people in Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina, head of the Awami League, vowed to keep piling pressure on the election commission and the interim government unless her demands were met. "We cannot participate in an election designed to confirm victory of a particular party through a conspiratorial and farcical vote," Hasina told the rally, referring to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Activists and supporters carrying banners and her portrait clapped and chanted: "Go ahead Hasina, we are with you," and, "No election without reforms", as she announced her plans. She called for a countrywide strike on Thursday to force authorities to implement reforms. Hasina has been pressing for the removal of what she says are corrupt and partisan Election Commission officials. She also wants a change of election schedules to allow enough time to update voters' lists and to issue voter identity cards. She believes the commission and the interim government organising the polls are working to ensure the return to power of her old foe Begum Khaleda Zia, who stepped down as prime minister in October at the end of her five-year term. Khaleda leads the BNP and Hasina accused the chief of the interim administration, President Iajuddin Ahmed, of favouring Khaleda. While Hasina wants the poll delayed, the Election Commission on Monday brought forward the election date by one day to January 22 to avoid a religious festival of the country's minority Hindus. The run-up to the polls has been violent and tense with rival activists clashing almost daily. At least 44 have been killed and hundreds injured since late October. Khaleda and Hasina, also a former prime minister, had joined forces in late 1990 to topple former army ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad from power. They fell out soon after and have remained bitter foes. (Additional reporting by Azad Majumder)
