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Bangladesh ex-ruler appeals against election ban

29 Dec 2006 07:03:36 GMT
Source: Reuters

DHAKA, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Former army ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad appealed on Friday against the Bangladesh Election Commission's decision to ban him from contesting next month's parliamentary elections.

His lawyers submitted petitions to the commission, requesting it reverse its decision to reject his nominations due to legal troubles he faces over corruption charges, and instead declare him a valid candidate for the Jan. 22 election.

"We hope the commission will consider the appeal in a truly democratic spirit and find a legal way to allow him to contest the poll," said Ruhul Amin Hawlader, secretary-general of Ershad's Jatiya Party.

Around 50 people were injured on Thursday when angry Ershad supporters battled with police in northern Bangladesh.

Ershad is allied with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, the main opposition party for the past five years to Begum Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh National Party (BNP).

Both he and Hasina were expected to address a news conference later on Friday to give a formal reaction to what they said was the "election authority's conspiracy" to keep the former dictator from standing in the polls.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Ershad to give himself up and upheld a two-year jail term for squandering state funds while he was in power in a deal to buy patrol boats from Japan.

But Ershad and his allies saw a plot to keep him out of the election race, calling the verdict "remote-controlled" and a punishment for his refusal to join forces with Khaleda.

Ershad, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1982, was ousted in a people's revolt led jointly by Khaleda and Hasina.

The two women, who have alternated as prime minister of the impoverished south Asian country for the past 15 years, fell out after Ershad's overthrow and have been bitter foes ever since. Both are key contenders for power in the upcoming election.

Khaleda ended her five-year term as prime minister late in October and handed power to an interim government, headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed.

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Last updated:Fri Dec 29 07:05:01 2006