Dhaka, Dec. 21 -- The Election Commission has opened talks with the chiefs of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force as part of preparations for next year's parliamentary election and referendum.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, began around 12pm on Sunday at the EC headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon with the aim of reviewing the country's overall law and order situation.

Army Chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan and Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan are in attendance, along with the other election commissioners and the commission's secretary.

It is the first meeting between the EC and the Armed Forces since the election schedule was announced. ...