DHAKA, 6 March 2007 — Bangladesh’s feuding political parties remained poles apart yesterday over the timing of a postponed general election.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Begum Khaleda Zia, said it wanted the election held by July 11, six months after a state of emergency was declared. But its rival the Awami League, led by Hasina Wajed, said the poll should be held by June.

The Awami League did not give a reason for the time of its choice, but analysts said it was probably to avoid the storm season that usually hits around late June or early July. Both the BNP and Awami League conveyed their choices to the Election Commission, which said it could not start preparations for the vote until the army-backed interim government had set a date.

Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since Jan. 11 imposed following weeks of countrywide violence mostly between activists of the two parties. The election, originally planned for Jan. 22, was postponed amid political chaos. All political activities — except for indoor meetings — are banned under the emergency rule. Since the rule was invoked, security forces have arrested more than 150 politicians, including former ministers.

“We informed the Election Commission (EC) that the election should be held within six months since the caretaker government took over... and the election is possible within this time,” BNP Vice-President M.K. Anwar told reporters after an hour-long meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr Shamsul Huda.

“We did not demand that (to the Election Commission), but we expect so,” he said replying to a query whether they think it is possible to hold the election within six months. “The Commission told us that they might be able to inform the nation about timeframe of the elections within next two to three weeks,” Anwar said. Earlier, Japanese ambassador Masayuki Inoue made a courtesy call on CEC Huda and the two commissioners. The Japanese ambassador said after the meeting that they exchanged views on the country’s electoral system.

Dhaka Freezes Bank

Accounts of Ex-Minister

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue asked banks yesterday to freeze the accounts of former Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed, his wife and children, officials said.

The order was issued as the NBR checked possible “tax dodging” by the ex-minister and his family, as part of a campaign against corruption by political leaders. Moudud was a key figure in the government of the most recent prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, who ended her five-year term in October and handed power to an interim government in charge of holding a new election.

— With input from agencies