Australia toes line of US, UK, Canada to criticise
Special Correspondent :
Australia toes the line of US, UK and Canada when it comes to the question certifying the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election held on January 7, which was boycotted by a large number of parties and also marked by violence, rigging etc.
Meanwhile, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Gregory Meeks on Wednesday in an X said the US will continue to support the Bangladeshi people’s aspirations for democracy.
“Bangladesh is a critical partner. I support the State Department’s calls to investigate reports of violence, and accountability for those found responsible for undermining the vote,” he said.
The Australian government has urged the Bangladesh government to prioritise the strengthening of its democratic institutions, which underpin the protection of human rights, the rule of law and the promotion of development.
In a media release on Wednesday, the Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of Australia also said, “It is regrettable that the elections took place in an environment where not all stakeholders could participate meaningfully and substantially.”
Australia notes the results of the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on 7 January.
As a longstanding friend of Bangladesh, Australia is concerned about the violence and the arrests of political opposition members that took place in the lead-up to the elections.
Australia has consistently highlighted to Bangladesh the importance of free and fair elections.
However, Australia government appreciated the people’s participation in the election, saying, “We welcome the fact that millions of Bangladeshi voters exercised their right to vote on election day.”
The release also said, “As a close partner, Australia remains committed to working with Bangladesh to achieve our shared vision for an open, stable, prosperous and inclusive region.”
The 12th parliamentary polls took place on Sunday as the ruling Awami League secured 224 seats to form the government for a fourth straight term.
However, a good number of political parties, including the main opposition BNP, boycotted the polls, bringing the allegation of an engineered election system to consolidate the ruling party’s grip on power.
