Staff Correspondent: Dhaka, Sept-20,

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the Election Commission (EC) of the country doesn't need

anyone's assistance as the commission itself is strong, capable, and

independent for holding polls.

"I think there is no need of anyone's help for holding elections in

Bangladesh as the commission has already conducted many polls in a fair and transparent manner," he said talking to reporters at the meeting room of his ministry at the Secretariat here.

Earlier, Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, unveiled a

publication 'BSRF Barta', the maiden publication of Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF). He congratulated the BSRF committee members for the publication,

expressing hope that it (publication) would be published regularly.

Replying to another query over seeking bank details of journalists, the

Minister said the government can seek anyone's bank details.

"Bank details of lawmakers, businessmen, and government officials have also been sought. But, there is no need to be worried if they are transparent and honest. Their image in front of the people will brighten if their transparency regarding finance comes out through this bank account," he added.

Many people raised the question of why the bank details were sought in the name of organizations and it was published in the mass media, he said.

Replying to another comment over the demand of conducting an impartial election under neutral government by BNP, Hasan said the BNP leaders demanded this during the last twelve and a half years. But the countrymen didn't respond to their call, he added.

The present government will perform duties in the next parliamentary election as the electoral government as per Bangladesh's constitution, he added. Criticizing a comment of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Begum Khaleda Zia's permanent release, the minister said they (BNP) should thank the government. "Begum Zia didn't get bail. The Prime Minister has

shown her unprecedented generosity to Begum Zia by releasing her (Begum Zia),

who is a convicted for embezzling the money of orphans," he added.

"The government can suspend the six-month stay order at any time. If the order is revoked tomorrow, then Begum Khaleda Zia will have to go back to jail. I think they should remember this," he added.

Replying to a query on IP (internet protocol) TV, Hasan said it is the duty of his ministry to provide registration for IP TV. But, they (IP TV) get a domain from BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission), he added.  From now, he said the authorities concerned should be more careful in allocating domain. A meeting will be held on this issue on September 22, he added.

End/Dct/Naj/Sma/