Bangladesh says eases ban on political gatherings

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's army-backed interim government relaxed a ban on indoor political gatherings on Monday, allowing parties to hold meetings of their leaders and members, the Home Ministry said.

The decision came into effect immediately, the ministry said, hours before the head of the government Fakhruddin Ahmed was due to make a televised speech to the nation.

"The government has eased restrictions imposed on meetings of political parties, leaders or individuals ... such meetings can be held across the country," a Home Ministry statement said.

But the number of participants must not exceed 200, and the meetings must be held indoors and not discuss anything beyond politics relating to elections planned for late this year, officials said.

Local administration and police would have to be informed well in advance of each meeting, and if the attendance was expected to surpass 200, the authorities should be informed at least 72 hours ahead, the ministry said.

The Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of detained former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia, respectively, had asked for unconditional freedom to hold party conventions.

They also demanded the complete lifting of the state of emergency and the ban on politics, as well as release of the former premiers.

In his address, Fakhruddin is expected to invite the political parties to formal talks to discuss election plans and seek their opinions and suggestions, officials said.

But he is unlikely to give a firm election date, expected around next December as per a so-called roadmap announced by the Election Commission.