Meanwhile, 2,370 out of 3,935 candidates withdrew their nomination papers following the grand alliance decision not to participate in the election.

On the other hand, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and some other party leaders were elected unopposed as their rivals withdrew nomination papers.

"The Election Commission (EC) is moving towards the election", the acting CEC told newsmen after a grand alliance delegation led by AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil met him to demand preparation of a correct voter list and announcement of a fresh election schedule.

The delegation comprising senior leaders of the alliance rushed to the EC following the decision to boycott the polls.

The alliance leaders handed over the letters for withdrawal of nomination papers to the acting CEC claiming that the prevailing situation in the country is not congenial for holding a free and fair election.

The last date for withdrawal of nomination was yesterday.

A three-member Jamaat-e-Islami delegation led by its Nayeb-e-Ameer Maqbul Ahmed also called on Justice Mahfuzur Rahman immediately after grand alliance's meeting with him, and asked for holding the election in due time.

In their withdrawal letters, the grand alliance's aspirant candidates mentioned that they decided to pull out from the polls race as a proper voter list is yet to be prepared, and the present situation is not congenial for a free and fair election.

ACTING CEC'S BRIEFING
The acting CEC told the newsmen at his office that the upcoming election would be held in scheduled time.

"I will take place, take place Insha Allah," he said when asked if the election would be held on schedule despite the boycott decision by the grand alliance.

"Let us wait until January 22 and see what happens then" he said. "The Election Commission is proceeding towards holding the election in scheduled time."

Asked whether the EC would take any initiative to bring the AL-led alliance back to the polls race, he replied, " We got a jerk just now… We'll try to uproot the thorn."

Replying to a question if the upcoming election would be like the one held on February 15, 1996, acting CEC said, "I don't know… There is a big difference of time between 1996 and 2007."

On the submission of nomination withdrawal letters to him, instead of the returning officers, the acting CEC said, "Law will take it own course."

Asked if the election would be acceptable to the international community if it takes place without the participation of major political parties, he replied, "Let's see what the international community says."

Meanwhile, the EC has already allocated election symbols to the political parties. It is now preparing to send the election materials and other related thing to different districts and upazilas.

JAMAAT DELEGATION
The Jamaat delegation urged the acting CEC to hold the election as scheduled.

"We have asked him to hold the election as per schedule" said Maqbul Ahmed.

The delegation declined to say whether Jamaat would participate in the election under the party banner or as four-party alliance component if the grand alliance does not contest the polls.

It also did not disclose the number of aspirants who submitted nomination papers under the banner of Jamaat.

The Jamaat delegation claimed that the present voter list is free of fault.

CPB-WITHDRAWAL
Thirty- two aspirants from the Communist Party of Bangladeh (CPB) have withdrawn their nomination papers as the party has decided not to participate in the election.