"The prime objective of this government is to hold a free, fair and credible election so that honest and competent people get encouraged to contest the polls," he told a big public gathering in Tangail.

"There would be no difficulties in exercising voting right and the polls would be free from influence of black money and muscle power," he said addressing the inaugural function of National Tree Planting Movement and Tree Fair 2007 to open the countrywide three-month-long afforestation campaign.

This is for the first time that a head of the government inaugurated the national tree-planting movement outside the capital.

Fakhruddin in his 70-minute speech said the interim government is making efforts to accomplish some prerequisites for holding the election, particularly to prepare flawless voter lists with photographs and electoral reforms.

He said the reconstituted Election Commission has formulated electoral legal reform framework. The EC has held dialogue with different professional groups on this matter and would hold dialogue with political parties too.

The EC is also working to prepare voter list with photographs by applying modern technology. It is taking some time as this is a new process for Bangladesh as well as for other countries, Fakhruddin said.

He mentioned the EC's pilot project on voter list with photographs to be conducted on June 10 in Gazipur. On completion of the project, the EC could fix the activities regarding preparation of a flawless voter list with photographs.

The CA said voter ID card can be made during preparation of the voter list with photographs which would benefit people in availing various government facilities.

He said the caretaker government is curbing corruption so that use of black money and muscle power cannot pollute and influence election.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has been reorganised as the corrupt were not accountable for their deeds in the past, he noted.

"All of us must be accountable--none is above the law," he said.

Fakhruddin also said those who are accused of corruption would be tried under the law of the land. Journalists are witnessing the trial process of the suspected corrupt, as the present government believes in transparency.

In an oblique reference to the arrested corruption suspects, the CA told his audience that a lot of sensational information have already come out.

Fakhruddin called upon all to wage a social movement against corruption as corruption cannot be eliminated only by giving punishment.

If the people remain vocal and alert in the future against corruption, then success in curbing corruption will increase, he said.

About electricity situation, the CA said it is undeniable that people are suffering for electricity crisis as its demand is increasing day by day. But the problem cannot be solved within a short period of time.

However, the CA said his government has taken steps to add 800 megawatts of power to the national grid by this year and at least another 1000 MW by 2008.

He said allocation for power sector will be increased by 30 percent in the next national budget and, if necessary, the amount would be further increased. He urged people to hold patience to have their suffering assuaged.

About the prices of essential commodities, the CA said there is no difference of opinion about increasing prices of commodities as international market prices of rice, wheat, pulses and edible oil have increased and those items are imported.

Mentioning various steps taken by the government to keep the prices under control, he said some measures would be outlined in the next budget while market-monitoring system would be strengthened.

He assured that the government would do whatever possible to keep prices of essentials at affordable level for the common man.

On tree planting, the chief adviser called upon all to come forward to join the tree-planting movement, as only the government efforts will not bring home fruits of any initiative. "Trees are resources for an individual, society and nation."

People of all walks of life, elite of Tangail, and government officials were present at the function organised by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Environment and Forest Adviser Dr CS Karim presided over the function.