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Bangladesh Imposes State of Emergency, Postpones Elections as Head of Interim Administration Resigns
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January 12, 2007
According to the Washington Post, the leader of Bangladesh’s caretaker government, which is constitutionally put in place to guide elections and the transition of power, has resigned his post as administration chief amidst widespread protests that have resulted in 34 deaths since October. The protests and threats to boycott the elections by a coalition of political parties were in response to their perceived bias of interim President Iajuddin towards the former ruling government in the upcoming elections. Iajuddin also announced the January 22nd elections will be delayed indefinitely, imposed an overnight curfew in much of Bangladesh, and executed the state of emergency law for the first time in thirty years. Former central bank governor Fakhruddin Ahmed has been appointed to take Lajuddin’s post.
Reuters reports that under the state of emergency law “political activities on the streets have bee curtailed and media restrictions put in place.” Other restrictions on political and civil rights under this law ban the public “from criticizing the government and its activities,” which includes”printing and broadcasting critical political news, photographs and cartoons.” Bangladeshi’s are also prohibited from protesting and marching when a state of emergency is in place.
Reuters also reports that Thursday’s overnight curfew was lifted Friday, following the appointment of Iajuddin’s successor. Fears of illegitimacy surrounded the elections, due to the boycott from the major oppositional coalition. According to the Bangladeshi publication The New Nation, the European Union had “said it would reassess its relations with Bangladesh” if the January 22nd elections had gone forth without the participation of all major political parties. Dr. Stefan Frowein, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, said that without their participation, “the next general election in Bangladesh will not be credible and internationally acceptable.” The same report says that the EU had suspended its Election Observation Mission in Bangladesh,” but they would resume activity “if all political parties agree to take part in the next general election.” There has been no announcement on when the elections will take place.
References:
The New Nation (Bangladesh): EU to reassess ties with Bangladesh
Reuters (India): Bangladesh names new caretaker chief, lifts curfew
Washington Post: Bangladeshi Leader Quits Role, Declares State of Emergency
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