Dec 17 (Reuters) - Bangladesh ended a nearly two-year-old state of emergency to help ensure a free and fair parliamentary election on Dec. 29, the government said, as the South Asian country of 140 million people moves back toward democracy. [nDHA189541]

Here are some key facts about the emergency imposed in January 2007:

* An indefinite state of emergency was imposed after the interim authority, headed by former central bank chief Fakhruddin Ahmed, took charge in January following a series of deadly clashes between rival political activists.

* The authority cancelled an election planned for Jan. 22, 2007 and banned all political activity and protests. It launched a countrywide drive against corruption, which saw two former premiers detained for a year on graft charges.

* In September 2008, the government announced a lifting of a ban on indoor political meetings, allowing parties to hold gatherings with limited participation and away from public places.

* Last month the government further relaxed emergency rules to allow political parties to hold peaceful rallies ahead of the parliamentary election and ordered troops charged with enforcing the emergency back to the barracks.

* Troops will, however, be re-deployed from Thursday to the end of election to guard voting centres and ensure safety. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)

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