Election Special: December 14, 2008 Headlines

BDNews24.com:

• Azam J Chy seeks to retract Hasina case
• No fear of blasphemy law, hint AL, BNP
• Watch for rigging: Khaleda
• Candidate List by party symbols
• Candidate List by party

The Daily Star:

• An AL candidate’s spending spree
• BNP’s Polls Manifesto: Pledges abundant, but specific target missing
• Fight within alliances for at least 22 seats
• Election analysis: The manifestos
• Who to vote for

The New Nation:

• Manifestos full of promises, lack guidelines for action: Former Advisers

The Financial Express:

• Concerns beyond the election

The Hindu:

• Polls alone won’t strengthen Bangladesh’s democracy

“Regardless of who wins the election, the next government and the opposition parties will face the challenges of making Parliament work and contending with an Army that wants a greater say in politics.”

“Allegations of rigging could spark a party boycott or political violence. Technical flaws on election day with ballots or the voter roll could cause a delay or require re-polling in some areas.”

“The parties must not take the international community’s support for elections as an endorsement of their behaviour but rather see it as belated recognition of the dangers of military rule.”