Bangladesh leader promises vote, but no date given

Last Updated: Monday, January 22, 2007 | 7:10 PM ET

CBC News

The head of a military-backed interim government in Bangladesh says national elections originally scheduled for Monday will be held "at the earliest" possible date.

In his first televised address to the nation on Sunday, U.S.-trained economist Fakhruddin Ahmed offered no hint as to when that might be.

Bangladesh's interim leader, Fakhruddin Ahmed, addresses the nation in Dhaka on Sunday.
(Press Information Department of Government of Bangladesh/AP)

But his ambitious plans, including a crackdown on corruption, led one Dhaka newspaper, the New Age, to conclude that the vote "would come later rather than sooner."

Ahmed, whose title in the 10-day-old government is chief adviser, took office after the previous leader, interim president Iajuddin Ahmed, declared a state of emergency, postponed the elections and stepped down.

Bangladesh, a densely populated land with much of its area barely above sea level, has long been troubled by political instability and violence.

A Bangladeshi protester throws a brick during a clash with riot police in Dhaka on Jan. 8.
(Pavel Rahman/Associated Press)

The BBC reported from Dhaka that many people there believe the country was pulled back from the brink of anarchy by the declaration of the state of emergency.

After weeks of protests, strikes and transport blockades called by parties boycotting the elections, security forces were ordered to round up "troublemakers." They have detained nearly 2,000 people, including political activists, since the emergency was declared, Reuters reported.

Dozens have been killed and hundreds injured in the unrest, the news agency said.

Fourteen parties, including the second largest in the country, the Awami League, had launched a three-day protest on Jan. 7 to isolate the capital.

The "mega-combine," as the opposition alliance calls itself, said it planned to block roads, railways and river routes into Dhaka until the government agreed to delay the "farcical unilateral national election" scheduled for Jan. 22.