BD voter turnout higher than US and Europe

Staff Reporter :
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has that that the voter turnout in Bangladesh is higher compared with the United States and the European countries and people here can cast votes whomever they wish.

“We have multiple challenges including climate change and employment. Election is also a challenge. We should be proud of that we have a voter turnout of minimum 72 per cent and sometimes it is 80-86 percent. In Europe it is 30-35 per cent and rarely more than 26 per cent in the US in Presidential election. Those who want to cast vote here can do it. Voters have this opportunity in Bangladesh. All take this opportunity to cast vote,” he said.

The minister said this in reply to a query of the journalists in the Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the curtain raiser of the event the ‘Indian Ocean Conference’ to be held in the capital on May 12-13.

He also said that Sheikh Hasina’s government has made a commitment of holding a free, fair and transparent election and the government is doing everything whatever is necessary for the institutional tasks.

“I very often say the government and the Election Commission may not guarantee free and fair election. For a transparent election, every political party including the government and the others must have the commitment for it. Only then we can expect a free and fair election,” he said.

“We have told everyone that if you have special demands or special attention on someone or party, then you should make the statement that every party should have commitment and participation. Otherwise, it will be of no use,” he said.

“To uphold democracy, human rights and justice, we don’t need any suggestion. They can take lesson from us. But some evil people make our election questionable by fake voters, weak election commission and yes/no votes,” he mentioned.

About Awami League’s commitment to democracy, he said, “Awami League always believes in democracy. We have our efforts on to establish democracy on firm footings.”