UN Chief Urges End To Bangladesh Impasse On Poll Reforms

New Delhi, Aug 24, IRNA - In an unusual move, UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Friday telephoned Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia in a bid to end a stalemate over electoral reforms that has cast a shadow on the countrys next polls. Ban telephoned Hasina in the morning and followed up with a call to Zia, the leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in the evening. The impasse over electoral reforms figured in Bans conversation with Hasina, pti reported quoting the premiers press adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury. Bangladesh's two main parties are divided on the issue of whether the next polls should be held under a caretaker regime. The BNP is pushing a proposal to reintroduce the system of a caretaker government that was abolished when Hasinas Awami League came to power in 2009. Ban discussed various issues related to the next general election, expected to be held sometime between October and January. Hasina told Ban that she wants a peaceful negotiated settlement of the crisis over poll reforms. The UN chief also spoke to BNP chairperson Zia./end