US-UK stress free, fair, peaceful elections in Bangladesh
Staff Reporter :
Both the United States and the United Kingdom have underscored the importance of a free, fair and peaceful election in Bangladesh without any outside influence and the people choosing their own leaders.
The United States has said that it does not want to influence the outcome of the election, but the poll should be free and fair so that the people of Bangladesh may freely choose their leaders.
“I’ll just say the United States does not support any particular party and does not want to influence the outcome of the election, only to ensure that the people of Bangladesh may freely choose their leaders,” State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said in Washington on Monday.
Regarding the justification of the recent visa restriction on Bangladeshi individuals, he said that it has been imposed to facilitate the people to elect their leaders without intimidation.
“The visa restriction policy that we’ve announced supports this objective and the desire of the people of Bangladesh to freely choose their leaders,” he said.
Reiterating his government’s stance, he said, “The United States wants what the Bangladeshis themselves want: free and fair elections that are conducted in a peaceful manner.”
” The government, political parties, civil society, and the media in Bangladesh have all expressed their desire that the upcoming national elections are free, fair and conducted in a peaceful manner – as we want,” he underscored.
On the other hand, UK Minister of State Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs Lord Tariq Ahmad also underscored the importance of free, fair and participatory election while holding a discussion with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in London on Monday.
In a tweet, he said, “Delighted to host Prime Minister Hasina in London.
UK and Bangladesh share strong bilateral ties based on trade and investment, climate and supporting the Rohingya.
As Commonwealth partners we discussed the importance of free, fair and participatory elections.”
After wrapping the UN General Assembly in the United States, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in London on Saturday.
But during her staying in the UK the opposition BNP leaders and workers staged demonstration demanding the unconditional releases of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, resignation of the government and handing over power to a caretaker government for ensuing a free, fair, peaceful and participatory election.
As the election approaching fast, the international communities are voicing to hold a free and credible election.
