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State of emergency in Bangladesh State of emergency in Bangladesh
(about 4 hours later)
Caretaker president Iajuddin Ahmed has announced a state of emergency in Bangladesh after weeks of political crisis over elections due this month. Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed has stepped down as interim leader amid a crisis over elections due this month.
A late night-early morning curfew (2300-0500 local time) is in force. A presidential address is due shortly. State media reported his departure just hours after he had announced a state of emergency and curfew in the country.
Weeks of violence have left more than 40 people dead. A major alliance of parties is boycotting the election because it says it is being rigged. Nine of 10 members of Mr Ahmed's caretaker administration are also reported to have resigned.
Earlier on Thursday, the UN and EU withdrew support for the disputed vote. A major alliance of parties is boycotting the election because it says it is being rigged. Weeks of violence have left more than 40 people dead.
Sate television said the curfew affected more than 60 cities and towns across Bangladesh. as well as the capital Dhaka. Mr Ahmed will stay on in his largely ceremonial post of president.
A late night-early morning curfew (2300-0500 local time) is in force.
Sate television said the curfew affected more than 60 cities and towns across Bangladesh. as well as the capital, Dhaka.
The political crisis... has severely jeopardised the legitimacy of the electoral process UN statementThe political crisis... has severely jeopardised the legitimacy of the electoral process UN statement
"The president has declared a state of emergency and a curfew has been imposed daily from 11pm to 5am," it reported."The president has declared a state of emergency and a curfew has been imposed daily from 11pm to 5am," it reported.
"The president will address the nation over television and radio tonight.""The president will address the nation over television and radio tonight."
Hours earlier, the UN and the EU said they were suspending assistance for the 22 January general election.Hours earlier, the UN and the EU said they were suspending assistance for the 22 January general election.
A UN statement said: "The political crisis... has severely jeopardised the legitimacy of the electoral process."A UN statement said: "The political crisis... has severely jeopardised the legitimacy of the electoral process."
The EU said conditions for a credible vote did not exist and its observers would leave Bangladesh by Sunday night.The EU said conditions for a credible vote did not exist and its observers would leave Bangladesh by Sunday night.
'Bias''Bias'
The BBC's John Sudworth in the capital, Dhaka, says the announcements by the UN and EU are being seen as a strong signal from the international community to the caretaker government that the poll should be postponed.The BBC's John Sudworth in the capital, Dhaka, says the announcements by the UN and EU are being seen as a strong signal from the international community to the caretaker government that the poll should be postponed.
Our correspondent says that with polls now less than two weeks away the election process is in tatters and there is no sign of compromise.Our correspondent says that with polls now less than two weeks away the election process is in tatters and there is no sign of compromise.
The alliance led by the Awami League is refusing to take part, claiming the electoral register is incomplete, inaccurate and biased in favour of its bitter rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which left office in October.The alliance led by the Awami League is refusing to take part, claiming the electoral register is incomplete, inaccurate and biased in favour of its bitter rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which left office in October.
But the caretaker government insists the constitution does not allow it to suspend the election.But the caretaker government insists the constitution does not allow it to suspend the election.
The BNP rejects the allegations of bias and says it and its allies will take part in the vote.The BNP rejects the allegations of bias and says it and its allies will take part in the vote.