City corporation elections before JS polls if EC is ready

Election Commission can complete its preparations, including the voter list.

He said the tenures of some city corporations will expire in June this year. "If the Election Commission can complete its preparations, election to Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna City Corporations could be held."

Talking to journalists after inaugurating a new programme styled 'Police Open Day' and Bhaluka Model Thana in Mymensingh yesterday, he said parliamentary elections will be held as soon as the Election Commission could complete its preparations.

Bhaluka Model Thana is part of the police reform programme being implemented with financial support from the European Commission, UNDP and DFID.

Replying to a question, Anwarul Iqbal said like any other Third World countries, political governments in Bangladesh had influenced the police department. On completion of the Police Reform programme, he believes, police would be independent and be able to work in an atmosphere to be free from political interference.

British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury who was present on the occasion said the UK and the European Commission will provide financial support to the Election Commission unconditionally.

The British envoy said he believes that the EC is working independently and working very hard.

About the time for the general election, he said the polls should be held as soon as possible. The chief adviser earlier stated that it would be held by the end of 2008, he said.

The High Commissioner said, "Not necessarily the election will be held by December next. It could be held in January next, it could be held in March, September or June."

Earlier, the LGRED adviser addressed the inaugural ceremony of the Police Open Day and Bhaluka Model Thana as chief guest on the police station premises.

Anwar Choudhury, Head of the European Commission Delegation to Bangladesh Stefan Frowein, Home Secretary Abdul Karim, IGP Noor Muhammad and National Director of Police Reform Programme and Additional IGP NBK Tripura also addressed the function.

Mymensingh Police Super Rafiqul Islam presided.

Anwarul Iqbal emphasised friendly relations between the communities and the police based on mutual understanding, trust and cooperation to prevent crimes.

He said partnerships between the police and the communities, especially vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, can pave the way for the general people to voice their grievances as well as their suggestions to improve the police service.