A neutral caretaker government headed by former chief justice Latifur Rahman will take power by July 15 to organise Bangladesh's general elections, sources said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed will meet the President and ask him to dissolve the Parliament on July 12, an official close to the premier told a news agency.
"The handing-over ceremony to the caretaker government will take place by July 15 as the Prime Minister does not want to delay the process," the official said.
The caretaker administration will take over on a Sunday as Friday and Saturday are holidays in Bangladesh. The official said that Sheikh Hasina, who is the first leader to complete a full five-year term in Bangladesh's 30-year history, wanted the country's first Smooth transfer of power.
Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday dispelled speculations that she would extend her term to accept an invitation to attend the G-8 summit of industrialised nations from July 20 to 22 in Italy, although such an extension would be allowed under the constitution.
In a farewell address to bureaucrats, the premier was quoted saying she would hand over power within a fortnight to seek a fresh mandate of the people. Despite getting the honour of being invited to the G-8 summit, the Prime Minister has cancelled her trip to Italy in the greater interest of the nation, Sheikh Hasina's press secretary Jawadul Karim said on Wednesday.
Bureau Report