Bangladeshi President Professor Iajuddin Ahmed Saturday reaffirmed the parliamentary election would be held on Jan. 22 to meet the constitutional obligation despite the former main opposition alliance's boycott of the polls.

The former main opposition alliance led by Awami League president Sheikh Hasina boycotted the election on the grounds that President Ahmed's interim administration and the election commission are biased for ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BN)-led four-party alliance and trying to install Zia in power through "election engineering."

President Ahmed who is also the chief advisor of the interim caretaker administration said, "I'm committed to handing over power to an elected government through holding an election in time for the sake of keeping my pledge. I seek cooperation from all to protect the constitution."

The president's statement came on the eve of Sheikh Hasina's grand alliance enforcing three-day road blockade program across the country from Jan. 7 to 9 to press for resignation of President Ahmed from the interim administration's chief and for fresh election schedule after preparing a flawless voter list.

"Nobody can impede the constitutional provision for holding the general elections within 90 days of dissolution of the parliament, " he said.

The president said the Election Commission has already completed all preparations for holding the election on Jan. 22.

"My government has ordered the law enforcers to take stern measures so that no quarter could deteriorate the law and order in a planned manner to thwart the upcoming elections," he said.

The president said the steps have been taken for the voters who would choose their candidates by casting votes without any fear in a festive mood.

He said the government firmly believe that the Jan. 22 elections would be held in a free, fair and impartial manner.

However, Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina asked the people to boycott the polls and not to turn up to the polling stations on Jan. 22.

"Resist the vote thieves...Restore your voting rights through movement," Hasina said.

Meanwhile, the government has asked the law enforcers including army and paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles to show "zero tolerance" to those who will disrupt the peace in public life and normal economic activities through blockade program.

Around 12,000 policemen will be guarding the streets in capital Dhaka from Sunday morning to maintain peace during the blockade. Army men will also patrol the streets in Dhaka and major cities and towns from Sunday.

Former ruling BNP ended its five-year tenure on Oct. 27 last year and handed over power to the caretaker government headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed.

Source: Xinhua