Thousands Rally for Change in Bangladesh

Bangladesh 14-party activists shout during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006. Political activists on Tuesday said they planned to go ahead with nationwide protests to demand changes in Bangladesh's electoral system despite the presence of army soldiers who have been deployed on the streets to quash demonstrations.(AP Photo/Pavel Rahman) (Pavel Rahman - AP)

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- More than 5,000 people rallied peacefully in the capital Tuesday to demand electoral reforms and the interim president moved to head off a deepening political crisis by appointing replacements for four advisers who resigned a day earlier.

Soldiers that President Iajuddin Ahmed ordered deployed over the weekend to subdue growing political protests did not intervene when supporters of the 14-party political alliance gathered in the center of Dhaka.

Obaidul Kader, an alliance leader, accused Ahmed of pushing the country into chaos.

"A credible election is impossible under his leadership," he told the crowd.

The alliance wants the removal of two election commissioners it says favor former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. She stepped down at the end of her term in October so an interim government could take over to oversee the elections, as the constitution stipulates.

Bangladesh, an impoverished nation of 140 million people in South Asia, has been paralyzed for the past two months by street protests to demand electoral reform. The strikes and transport blockades often turned violent, leaving more than 30 dead and scores injured.

About 17,000 troops have fanned out across Bangladesh's towns and cities, and more could be sent if the need arises, military spokesman Lt. Col. Anisur Rahman said

"Past experience with Bangladeshi leaders deploying the military gives us serious cause for concern," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. "During the last major deployment in 2002, more than 50 people died after being arrested by troops."

Bangladesh has also been plagued by military coups since gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971. Two of its presidents were slain in coups, and there have been 19 other failed coup attempts.

Ahmed sent an emissary late Monday to talk to the four advisers who resigned, including two who said they were quitting because of their inability to ensure that Jan. 23 elections would be free and fair. They refused to reconsider their decision, government spokesman Mokhlesur Rahman Chowdhury said.

Local media say the advisers quit because they disagreed with Ahmed's decision to deploy the troops, which the government insists are meant to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order.

The four new advisers sworn in Tuesday included the head of a development agency, a former army officer, a college professor and a former government official, Chowdhury said.

Newly installed adviser Ruhul Alam Chowdhury, a retired army officer, said he was certain the interim government will be able to hold free and fair elections next month.

"I'm confident we will be able to face this challenge successfully," he told the United News of Bangladesh news agency.

"If we can remove the deadlock over changes in the election commission, and work neutrally, credible polls are possible," said Shafiqul Huq Chowdhury, another new adviser who heads the Association for Social Advancement, a private group providing small loans to the poor.

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Associated Press writers Farid Hossain and Julhas Alam contributed to this report.