AL finalises its nominations for the December 18 polls; BNP to take part in polls only if held on December 28; Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime delimitation talks end
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    • The Awami League (AL) finalised its nominations for the December 18 national polls on November 17. The list leaves out a good number of party bigwigs under scrutiny due to emergency power rules, including for allegations of corruption and for patronising crime1. Reports noted that several grassroots-level AL leaders in several districts expressed dissatisfaction over the nominated candidates, and for the party high command ignoring the credentials of dedicated and acceptable leaders2.

    AL President Sheikh Hasina meanwhile stated that the general elections should be held on December 18 with the participation of all political parties3. The caretaker government on its part proposed a dialogue with Sheikh Hasina on the possibility of holding the elections on December 28, a proposal first floated by the rival BNP4. The BNP-led four-party alliance announced on November 20 that it would take part in the parliamentary elections only if it is held on December 28. It also maintained that the government must fulfill three of its key conditions before the polls if it has to ensure its participation5. The EC held fresh negotiations with the BNP on November 21 to reach a consensus over the issue6.

    Both the political parties have lodged objections with the EC regarding organisations monitoring the December 18 polls. They have asked the Commission to disqualify around 40 such observer bodies which they charged were not impartial enough7.

    In other developments, the Bangladesh-Myanmar expert-level maritime delimitation talks ended with both sides to meet again in Yangon in January 2009. This will be only four months ahead of Myanmar's deadline for maritime demarcation claims to UN8. Reports also noted that the US has agreed to provide a grant assistance of $15 million to Bangladesh for installing radiation detection equipment and associated infrastructure at Chittagong Seaport9.

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