They discuss free, fair, credible polls in Bangladesh

Staff Reporter :
Visiting two US Congressmen in Bangladesh joined the leaders of the ruling Awami League, main opposition party BNP and the leaders of Jatiya Party over a cup of tea and crackers at the residence of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas and discussed the issue of holding a free, fair, peaceful and participatory national election in the country.
The tea party continued from 4 pm to 5:30 pm on Sunday.

According to sources, representatives from Awami League were Finance and Planning Secretary and member of parliament Wasika Ayesha Khan, Nahim Razzak, MP and Tamanna Nusrat, MP, BNP’s Publicity Secretary and former member of parliament Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and Jatiya Party (JaPa)’s Sherifa Quader, MP, Rana Mohammad Sohail, MP and Nazma Akhtar, MP.

During the meeting with the visiting US congressmen Ed Case and Richard McCormick, BNP has reiterated its call for holding the upcoming national election under an interim caretaker government.

The BNP leaders also informed them that a free and fair election is not possible under any partisan government.

The representatives of BNP, ruling Awami League, Jatiya Party and other political parties attended the meeting held at the residence of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Sunday (13 August).

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, BNP Publicity Secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said, “When they [the congressmen] inquired about the election system, we informed them that fair election is not possible under a partisan government.

We emphasised the need for the election to be held under a caretaker government to ensure its neutrality.”

He also said the previous elections were held under a partisan government and those were not conducted in a fair manner.

On the other hand, Awami League representatives informed the US Congressmen that it is not possible to have any provision that conflicts with the constitution.

At the same time, the AL delegation members informed them that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s promise to conduct free, fair and acceptable elections.

JaPa’s Sherifa Quader said that, they are always for a fair, free and peaceful election.

They also informed the visiting US congressmen of the necessity of participatory polls by all parties which should be ensured.

Congressman McCormick is representing the Republican Party from Georgia, and Case is from the Democratic Party, Hawaii.

Case and McCormick will visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Monday and hold meetings with various stakeholders.

The US embassy said, they are pleased to welcome the first congressional delegation since 2017.

While in Dhaka, representatives McCormick and Case are meeting with government officials, and civil society members to discuss the importance of free and fair elections and issues of mutual interest to strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States.