Bangladesh has withdrawn the 23-month-long state of emergency in the country on December 17, 2008. The national emergency which was imposed on January 11, 2007 affected several political parities as political gatherings were totally banned. During the emergency, a temporary night-time curfew was also imposed. The lifting of the national emergency has brought the much-needed relief to the political parties ahead of the elections which are scheduled to be held on December 29.

 

The caretaker authorities of Bangladesh have permitted political campaigning since December 12 so as give enough flexibility to the contesting parties. Earlier the leaders of the major political parties of the country threatened to boycott the polls if restrictions were not removed. They claimed that elections under emergency rule will not be free and fair. Although majority of the troops were called back, Moeen U Ahmed, the chief general of the army of Bangladesh has ordered a strong military presence ahead of the elections.

 

During the voting, about 300,000 police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed at more than 35,000 polling stations of country. Bangladesh is going see first its democratic election after seven years. Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed is discussed as one of the strong contenders for this year's elections. During the emergency regime, both Sheikh Hasina and BNP leader Khaleda Zia were put behind the bar for a year on graft charges.