May 14, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8, 1429

DHAKA, May 13: Bangladesh will hold its long-delayed general election at the end of December, ending the rule of a military-backed government that seized power and declared a state of emergency more than 16 months ago.

Fakhruddin Ahmed, interim leader of the caretaker government, did not set an exact date for the election but said in a nationwide televised address on Monday the vote would take place in the third week of December.

“The dawn of the new year shall greet an elected government,” said Ahmed, the former head of the country’s central bank.

Balloting was scheduled for Jan 22 last year but was postponed following weeks of political riots that left at least 30 people dead and hundreds injured.

Bangladesh has since then been run by Ahmed’s makeshift government, backed by the country’s influential military.

Ahmed said political parties would be allowed limited political activities such as holding indoor meetings starting on Tuesday, but authorities will not allow any street rallies.—AP