Bangladesh election chief stands down
{{date|November 23, 2006}}
[[Image:Flag of Bangladesh.svg|150px|right|thumb|Flag of [[Bangladesh]]]]

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of [[Bangladesh]], Justice MA Aziz has agreed to step aside for three months, the country's president and chief advisor to caretaker government, [[w:Iajuddin Ahmed|Iajuddin Ahmed]] announced in a television address to the nation late last night. 

The [[w:Bangladesh Awami League|Awami League]]-led alliance accused Aziz of bias towards the [[w:Bangladesh Nationalist Party|Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] (BNP), led by former Prime Minister [[w:Begum Khaleda Zia|Begum Khaleda Zia]], who ended her five-year term in October 2006.

President Ahmed said that Justice Aziz has agreed to go on leave for three months in order to untangle himself from the present crises over the [[w:Bangladeshi parliamentary election, 2007|2007 parliamentary elections]]. The President has decided to appoint two more election commissioners under article 118(1) of the [[w:Constitution of Bangladesh|Bangladeshi constitution]].

The alliance parties resumed their agitation against Justice Aziz for the third time on Monday and said that they would continue the indefinite stir until he quits the office.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6172764.stm
|title=Bangladesh poll chief stands down
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=November 23, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2006-11-23&hidType=TOP&hidRecord=0000000000000000138462
|title=Two election commissioners will be appointed
|author=
|pub=Daily News Monitoring Service
|date=November 23, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2006-11-23&hidType=TOP&hidRecord=0000000000000000138486
|title=Aziz steps aside, stalemate remains
|author=
|pub=Daily News Monitoring Service
|date=November 23, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2006-11-23&hidType=TOP&hidRecord=0000000000000000138570
|title=Aziz's decision should end political crisis
|author=
|pub=Daily News Monitoring Service
|date=November 23, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7598_1850027,000500020001.htm
|title=Bangladesh election panel chief likely to quit
|author=
|pub=Hindustan Times
|date=November 23, 2006}}

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[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
Flag of Bangladesh

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Bangladesh, Justice MA Aziz has agreed to step aside for three months, the country's president and chief advisor to caretaker government, Iajuddin Ahmed announced in a television address to the nation late last night. 

The Awami League-led alliance accused Aziz of bias towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who ended her five-year term in October 2006.

President Ahmed said that Justice Aziz has agreed to go on leave for three months in order to untangle himself from the present crises over the 2007 parliamentary elections. The President has decided to appoint two more election commissioners under article 118(1) of the Bangladeshi constitution.

The alliance parties resumed their agitation against Justice Aziz for the third time on Monday and said that they would continue the indefinite stir until he quits the office.
Asia Bangladesh Politics and conflicts