U.S. senators urge early election in Bangladesh by alertnet.org

DHAKA, May 17 (Reuters) - Fifteen U.S. senators including Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton have urged Bangladesh’s army-backed interim government to end emergency rule and hold elections.

In a letter to Fakhruddin Ahmed, head of the interim authority, they called for an announcement within the next two months of a roadmap towards free and fair elections to be held as soon as possible.

Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since January 11, imposed in the wake of deadly violence between supporters of former prime ministers Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

An election planned for Jan. 22 was cancelled and all political activity banned. [Read more]