UN wants free, fair, inclusive polls in Bangladesh

Staff Reporter :
The United Nations (UN) is advocating for a free, fair, participatory and peaceful election in Bangladesh.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis made the remarks during a meeting with Awami League leaders held at her Gulshan residence on Thursday.

A six-member delegation led by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader attended the meeting.

After the meeting, General Secretary of Awami League Obaidul Quader said, United Nations wants free, fair and peaceful elections in Bangladesh.

And Awami League wants competitive elections.

The more competitive the election, the more acceptable it will be at home and abroad.

“UN wants free, fair elections in Bangladesh and the Awami League also wants a free, fair and competitive election,” Quader said adding that they believe that a competitive electoral process, both domestically and internationally, will enhance the credibility and acceptability of the poll results.

Obaidul Quader said, “The Awami League wants the major opposition BNP should join the next general election.

Why would we have to force them (BNP) to come to the elections? It is their democratic rights as a political party to participate in the elections, it is not an opportunity.”

“They have no statement on the issues such as the resignation of the incumbent prime minister, the dissolution of parliament what the oppositions are demanding.

They have said that these are internal matters of Bangladesh,” he said.

The Minister of Road Transport and Bridges said, “Today’s discussion was a bit different.

The discussion focused on the development of Bangladesh and what needs to be done in SDG (Sustainable Development Goals).

They expressed satisfaction with the extensive development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”

Regarding the SDGs, Quader said that they expressed satisfaction with the massive development progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Under the leadership of AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Muhammad Faruk Khan, a presidium member of the Awami League, participated in the meeting, along with party leaders Shammee Ahmed, Salim Mahmud, Biplab Barua, and Muhammad Ali Arafat.