Dhaka, Jan 6 (IANS) The US and Britain have issued separate appeals to the Awami League-led alliance to reconsider its decision to boycott the Jan 22 polls and also asked the caretaker government and Election Commission to "act swiftly and impartially" to create conditions for the elections to take place.

"Our own support and observation missions will depend on whether such conditions are created," a statement issued by the US embassy here said.

The appeals went out on the eve of a two-day stir the alliance launched Saturday to press for its demands, the non-fulfilment of which led to the boycott decision.

Scores of protestors have been arrested, media reports said.

"The voters of Bangladesh deserve a choice. We regret that the Awami League and its alliance partners intend to boycott the election. We urge them to reconsider and to offer the voters a chance to choose," the US said.

It added: "Elections need to take place in an open, peaceful atmosphere with the participation of all political parties so that the voters can have confidence in the outcome (of the election).

"The process as it is unfolding certainly shows many imperfections. We urge the caretaker government and Election Commission to act swiftly and impartially to create conditions under which all parties can participate."

The US also called on all parties to "set aside narrow, partisan agendas and join together in serious, constructive dialogue to create an acceptable environment for participation by all major parties in the elections.

"Violence has no place in a democratic society. While political protest is an integral part of democracy, violence is not."

British High Commissioner Anwarul Haq, a diplomat of Bangladeshi origin, also called for full participation of all parties in the electoral battle.

"For the elections to be credible, the institutions responsible for the election must enjoy the confidence of the major parties. The UK urges all parties to engage in constructive dialogue in order to address how to achieve this."

Expressing concerns over probable violence in the coming weeks, he called on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from political violence.

Haq, along with US envoy Patricia Butenis, has been holding talks with various parties and officials for many weeks.

Meanwhile, European Union election observers monitoring the situation here since Dec 17 said they would make recommendations to the EU headquarters in Brussels on the need to send more observers.

The envoys' anxiety is reflected in the views publicly expressed by some of the advisors to President Iajuddin Ahmed, who doubles as Chief Advisor of the caretaker government.

Adviser Ruhul Alam Chowdhury Friday said if the Awami League-led grand alliance does not take part in the January election, it would not be acceptable to all.

"I think the poll would not be acceptable to anyone in the world," he was quoted by The Daily Star as saying.