DHAKA, 16 July — Bangladesh swore in a caretaker government leader yesterday to organize new elections, after a violent two-day transition in which 12 people were killed.
Former Chief Justice Latifur Rahman has been assigned to organize general elections within three months. He was administered oath at the presidential palace by President Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed.
The interim regime takes over from the administration of Prime Minister Hasina Wajed, whose term ended with the dissolution of parliament late Friday.
The assembly had served out a full five-year term, a first in Bangladesh’s 30-year history, despite a boycott by the opposition for the past two years.
The main opposition alliance, led by Hasina’s archrival Khaleda Zia, also boycotted the swearing-in, after arguments over the time the ceremony should be held.
However, Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had earlier said it would cooperate with the caretaker government in the elections, which look set to be a rematch between Hasina’s Awami League and the BNP.
Rahman, who has been designated chief adviser would be assisted by a council of advisers to be sworn in within a couple of days.
Antonio de Menezes, the European Union representative in Dhaka, said: “I deplore very much the opposition boycott as such a transition is appreciated around the world...and is a good precedent.” The outgoing premier was among some 800 guests who witnessed the swearing-in of Rahman.
