Bangladesh goes to first polls since emergency

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

DHAKA (AFP) — Bangladesh was to hold local elections on Monday, its first polls since a state of emergency was imposed last year and a key step in plans by the army-backed government to restore democracy by the end of 2008.

Voting for four city and nine town councils was to start at 8:00 am (0200 GMT), with authorities testing a new digital voter list designed to put an end to the rigging at the heart of the country's current political situation.

The government has said the list contains no fake voters and will make fraud impossible.

"It is the first step towards restoring democracy," election commissioner Shakhawat Hussain told AFP.

"It will send a positive signal to everyone that the country is heading towards free and fair polls in the third week...