AL fears polls might not be free, fair
Boucher meets Hasina
Unb, Dhaka
Awami League yesterday apprised US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher of its apprehensions that the upcoming general election in Bangladesh might not be held in a free and fair manner without reform of the Election Commission and a flawless voter list. The views were expressed during a meeting between Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina and the visiting US official at Sudha Sadan. Party sources said the AL chief briefed him on her party's views on caretaker government and 11-point demand during the 50-minute meeting. The US assistant secretary, who arrived here earlier in the day on a two-day visit, did not make any comment after the talks. Sheikh Hasina's Political Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury briefed the reporters after the meeting. 'We briefed him about our stance and 11-point demand placed before the president after he took over the charge of the caretaker government," Saber said. Replying to a question whether Boucher asked anything about the November 12 deadline or requested them to extend their time, Saber did not say anything. "We've extended our deadline twice to help the president reduce gaps among the political parties and the Election Commission. But, now we are observing the reverse situation," he told the journalists. Commenting on the November 12 ultimatum, the AL leader said that Boucher was informed that the 14-party combine does not want any confrontation, rather it wants peace. Replying to another query, Saber said Boucher has also expressed his opinion on peaceful resolution of the crisis. "We also want the same," he added. Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Jafarullah, Salman F Rahman and Sheikh Helal were, among others, present at the meeting.
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