Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has restated that the caretaker system will not be revived, saying the general elections will be held in the way it is conducted in other democratic countries.
She reiterated her government’s stance on the nature of polls-time administration on Tuesday when British Minister of State for International Development (DFID) Alan Duncan called on her in Dhaka.
Her Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad later quoted Hasina as saying that her government had strengthened the Election Commission.
The Prime Minister cited appointments of the election commissioners, including the Chief Election Commissioner, in a ‘free and fair way’ through a search committee initiated by late President Zillur Rahman.
Hasina said over 5,600 elections had been held in “free, fair, neutral and peaceful manner” over the past four and a half years without the ruling party’s intervention.
She recounted the countrywide concerted bomb attacks and an attempt on the life of the then British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury during the BNP-Jamaat alliance’s tenure.
She said her government had checked militancy and terrorism to make the country safer.
Last month, a US State Department report commended Bangladesh for its commitment to combat domestic and trans-national terrorism and its counter-terrorism efforts.
Hasina asked British investors to take advantage of the investment–friendly climate and trainable, competitive work force of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister appreciated the duty-free access of Bangladeshi goods into the EU markets and hoped the UK would continue its support.
According to a British High Commission media release, after the meeting the minister commented that the next election process would be ‘of course a matter’ for Bangladesh as he said the country’s influence was growing around the world.
“…and therefore more people than ever before will be watching [it] closely.” Duncan added their attention had been raised further by the recent episodes of violence as well as tragedies such as the Rana Plaza building collapse.
He said it was ‘critically important’ for Bangladesh’s reputation that the parliamentary elections are ‘judged to be free, fair, and credible’.
“I hope all sides will resolve their differences through a meaningful dialogue,” he said urging all parties ‘to restrain from violence or excessive use of force’ and called on them to recognise the social and economic impact of strikes and other forms of disruption.
Earlier, he minister called on Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Labour and Employment Minister Khandaker Hosharraf Hossain.
Alan Duncan arrived in Dhaka on Monday on a four-day visit to discuss what the British High Commission described as challenges to the Bangladesh garment industry workers and businesses.
Source: Bd news24