British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has stressed smooth transition of power to an elected government promptly following elections in Bangladesh, reports UNB.

Brown made the remarks during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at 10 Downing Street in London Tuesday afternoon.

A joint statement released after the meeting said the Prime Minister and the Chief Adviser agreed that credible elections, that can sustain democracy in the longer term, are essential for Bangladesh.

The Chief Adviser categorically reaffirmed his government's firm resolve to hold a free, fair and credible parliamentary election in Bangladesh by December 2008.

He informed the British Prime Minister that the caretaker government would hold early dialogue with the political parties, and remove restrictions to enable them to fully participate in successful democratic parliamentary elections.

Both sides were happy to note the good progress of the project to update the voter list.

The Prime Minister and the Chief Adviser agreed that strong public institutions, justice and observance of due process, and human rights are the bedrock of a healthy democracy.

They observed with satisfaction the institutional reforms of the caretaker government to strengthen the mandate of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Election Commission and Public Service Commission, and to establish a Human Rights Commission.

They agreed that public institutions should play a leading role in setting high standards of governance under the newly-elected government, and that it was vital for them to act with respect for international standards of due process and basic individual rights at all times.

They noted that the separation of the Judiciary from the Executive in Bangladesh had been a historic step forward, and underlined the importance of a strong and independent Judiciary for ensuring fair and transparent trials for all.