Date:22/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/22/stories/2007012214670100.htm

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Bangladesh Election Commission chief quits

Dhaka: Amid mounting pressure from the caretaker government, Bangladesh's controversial Election Commission chief M.A. Aziz on Sunday stepped down citing a "rapidly changed" political scenario and the failure of a "major political alliance" to repose faith in him. "President Iajuddin Ahmed has accepted his resignation," said Sirajul Islam, Secretary to the President.

According to officials, Mr. Aziz, who was on a three-month leave, went to the Bangabhaban presidential palace and submitted his resignation to the President. The development came shortly after the Election Commission formally cancelled the already postponed January 22 general elections "scrapping all notifications in this regard."

"Despite my best efforts, a major political alliance could not repose confidence upon me. This led me to go on leave until February 22, 2007," Mr. Aziz said in a statement circulated by the EC shortly after his resignation.

He said that under a "rapidly changed" political scenario "I feel that if I continue in the post of CEC this may give certain political parties the opportunity to create once again new obstacles in the democratic process of holding national elections."

A former Supreme Court judge, Mr. Aziz went on leave on November 22 at Mr. Ahmed's request amid a protracted street campaign and blockade around his office by Sheikh Hasina's Awami League-led mega alliance demanding his resignation and reconstitution of the commission. — PTI