DHAKA, Dec 12: Bangladesh’s two main political parties formally began their election campaigns on Friday as restrictions on political rallies were lifted ahead of national polls due later this month.

The country’s military-backed caretaker government announced on Wednesday it would fully lift a state of emergency on Dec 17 ahead of the Dec 29 elections.

On Friday, a ban on political rallies was removed to allow campaigning to begin.

President Iajuddin Ahmed declared the state of emergency in January 2007 to quell weeks of street violence over electoral reform that left more than 30 people dead.

Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina unveiled her party’s election drive on Friday, pledging economic growth and measures to curb corruption, suppress religious extremism and improve governance.

’’The forthcoming parliamentary elections have created an opportunity for the re-establishment of democracy and inspired hopes for rapid socio-economic development,’’ Hasina said.

Hasina’s party has more than a dozen political allies, including the Jatiya Party, headed by former military dictator Hussein Muhammad Ershad, and some smaller leftist parties.

Her archrival, Khaleda Zia, head of the Nationalist Party, left Dhaka to deliver speeches at roadside gatherings on the way to the northeastern city of Sylhet amid tight security, the ATN Bangla television reported.

Zia’s party said she would offer prayers at three Muslim shrines in Sylhet. She is expected to announce her party’s platform on Saturday.

Zia is leading a four-party alliance that includes the country’s main Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami.—AP