Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dacca (Agenzia Fides) - Tension in Bangladesh is still high even after the government set a date for general elections 21 January 2007.
The statement issued by the Electoral Commission also established 10 December as the deadline for presenting lists of candidates and 19 December the last date to withdraw from the electoral competition.
For several weeks Bangladesh has been troubled with public protests, disorder and violence. Opposition parties called transport strikes to remove the head of the electoral commission, accused of partiality.
Street protests continue. The 14 party Awami League, led by main opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, urged the interim government (in office until a new government is formed) to check electoral lists which include at least 1.4 million false names he claims. However the interim executive led by President Iajuddin Ahmed, ignored the request and set a date for the elections hoping to stem unrest and violence.
Condemnation of the violence also came from Bishop Theotonius Gomes Auxiliary of Dacca, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, who called on the people to be calm. Expressed concern that political parties do not hesitate to use violent means to obtain their goals the Bishop said “the Church is concerned for the future of our country”, recalling that social stability and harmony are two basic requisites for building democracy, development and prosperity, while, according to the United Nations, 40% of Bangladeshis live below the poverty line. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2006 righe 27 parole 264)
