Bangladesh considers delaying election

An Election Commission official said Bangladesh’s general elections scheduled to take place on December 18 may be delayed by 10 days if all political parties agree.

Election Commission member Shakwat Hossain said the commission has “no problem moving the polls date to December 28 if all parties accept the change”.

Mr Hossain’s remarks came a day after former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia demanded that the polls date be moved to December 28 to let her Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies to take part.

Mr Hossain said his office already invited Mrs Zia’s party for talks late today.

He said the commission also plans to discuss the possible change with Mrs Zia’s main rival, Sheikh Hasina, another former prime minister.

Mrs Hasina had earlier insisted on holding the polls on December 18.