BANGLADESH ANNOUNCES ELECTIONS BY END OF 2008

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000629

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH ANNOUNCES ELECTIONS BY END OF 2008

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis; reason 1.4(d)


1. (U) Election timeline: Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed
announced April 12 that elections will be held by the end of

2008. The announcement was part of his nationwide address
reviewing the Caretaker Government's accomplishments in its
first 90 days and reaffirming the CG's commitment "not (to)
stay in office a day longer than is necessary." The
announcement follows earlier Election Commission statements
that it would need 18 months to prepare for elections. In
addition to previously announced plans to prepare a photo
voter registration list and a national identity card,
Fakhruddin highlighted plans to require party registration,
internal party reforms, political party financial
transparency and candidate financial disclosure. The
Election Commission will be empowered to enforce the new
election rules.


2. (U) Reforms Progress: Fakhruddin also highlighted
progress on the Caretaker Government's anti-corruption and
economic reform agenda, while preparing his audience for the
inevitable power shortfalls this summer. He praised the
military's "positive contributions and cooperation," along
with improved government services and a range of social
accomplishments. He closed by calling on Bangladeshis to
rededicate themselves to the welfare of Bangladesh and to
establish Bangladesh "as a modern country by upholding
democratic values." The full text of the speech is available
at:
www.thedailystar.net/2007/04/13/d70413060162. htm


3. (U) Reaction Positive: Public reaction to Fakhruddin's
pledge was positive with most people welcoming a clear
timeframe. Many had expected a longer delay, given the
Election Commission's earlier announcement that it would need
18 months to prepare for elections. Few political leaders
were willing to comment and those who did so argued elections
should be held much sooner. Editorials too praised the
government's announcement of a target date for elections,
although many called for further clarity on the substance and
timing of electoral reforms and benchmarks for the
intermediate steps needed to prepare for elections.


4. (C) Comment: Fakhruddin's welcome announcement
resolves the election timeframe issue and provides one clear
benchmark for measuring the government's commitment to a
return to a democratically elected government. While there
is mounting evidence that the government has a settled plan
for achieving this goal, its lack of transparency regarding
the process makes progress difficult to gauge. Moreover,
political party involvement in this process is conspicuously
absent. We will continue to press the government to lift the
ban on political party activity, to engage the parties in the
election reform process and to meet the actions and deadlines
needed to fulfill their commitment to hold elections by the
end of 2008. Nonetheless, the timeframe announcement, along
with the Chief of ARMY Staff's continued disavowel (reported
septel) of any plan for a national unity government or a
military political party are very encouraging signs that
Bangladesh is moving back to elected government.
BUTENIS