Bangladesh's new chief of the interim caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed on Sunday pledged to hand over power to an elected government at the earliest by holding free, fair and credible general elections after reconstituting the Election Commission (EC) and preparing a flawless electoral roll.

"Our beloved motherland is facing a difficult challenge. Today, the greatest challenge for us is to uphold and strengthen democratic rule by ensuring political and social stability, holding free and fair election and ensuring people's voting rights," he said in a nationwide address over the state-owned radio and television on Sunday.

Fakhruddin Ahmed assumed the office as chief advisor of the caretaker government on Jan. 12, a day after the promulgation of the state of emergency to quell the political disturbances. He said the main task of his government is to hold a free, fair and peaceful election with participation of all parties in accordance with the Constitution and the people's aspiration.

The chief advisor delivered the address as the EC canceled the earlier schedule for the country's 9th parliament election slated for Jan. 22 in the wake of the state of emergency.

The emergency was declared by President Iajuddin Ahmed as a major political alliance decided to boycott what they called one-sided election and announced a non-stop road blockade and general strikes to thwart the Jan. 22 polls.

Fakhruddin Ahmed said any general election turns meaningless without following the essential rules and regulations of the elections and creating cherished atmosphere. Therefore, he said, the main objective of the government is to create a congenial environment for holding transparent, peaceful and truly democratic elections.

Promising to reconstitute the EC, the chief advisor said the incumbent EC has landed into controversies. "So, reconstitution of the Election Commission has become essential," he told the nation.

About current debates on the voters' list, Fakhruddin Ahmed said it is equally urgent to prepare and publish a flawless electoral roll for holding free, neutral and credible elections. He said steps would be taken to examine the demand by some parties for voters ID cards and transparent ballot boxes.

"The nation does not want to face any stumble once again and does not want to go back to past instability and intolerable situation," he said in his apparent emotion-charged maiden address to the nation.

He however did not mention any timeframe for the next parliament elections.

About influence of black money and muscle power on election, the chief advisor said the present caretaker government is determined to free the election from corruption and terrorism.

He assured that tough measures would be taken to reform the overall election process and system so black money and muscle power can not obstruct a fair election as well as true reflection of the people's will.

He said appropriate steps would be taken to ensure the statement of property and source of income of intending candidates and prove the authenticity of their statements.

"We want banishment of muscle power and illegal money from the election arena," he said, expressing the hope that political parties will extend all-out cooperation in this respect reflecting it in the political culture including the nomination process.

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2007)