DHAKA, Feb 5: The new chief election commissioner of Bangladesh was sworn in on Monday in a move aimed at ending the opposition claims of vote bias so that credible elections can take place.

A. T. M. Shamsul Huda, who earned a reputation for political independence as a senior government official, took the oath in a ceremony at the Supreme Court, the official BSS news agency said.

“The main objective of the election commission is to hold a peaceful election acceptable to all,” the report quoted Huda as saying.

The appointment is critical to the success of rescheduled elections after cancellation of polls which were due to be held on January 22. One of Huda's deputies, election commissioner Sahul Hussain, a former law ministry official, was also sworn in on Monday.—AFP