USA, UK expect free, fair polls

FM dismayed at foreign diplomats’ 'interference’ in domestic affairs

The United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) have expressed hope for a free, fair, participatory and peaceful Dhaka city election on February 1. Representatives from the two nations said that any violence in the elections is not a part of the practice of democracy and that peaceful elections go hand in hand with economic progress. British high commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said he expected the Dhaka city polls to be free, fair, and peaceful. He made the statement at the British high commission in the capital while exchanging views with journalists on Brexit. “We have exchanged views with the four mayoral candidates and had discussions with the Election Commission (EC). We expect free, fair, and peaceful polls,” he said. He expressed hope voters would cast votes in a “peaceful and festive” environment. “Any kind of election violence is not any part of the practice of democracy,” he added.

Dickson said he will be joining other colleagues in the diplomatic community here to witness the democratic process and how the election goes. The US embassy in Dhaka wished for peaceful and participatory Dhaka city polls on its website. “Peaceful elections and economic progress go hand in hand,” it added. The USA, the UK, and some other countries are slated to deploy election observers to observe the Dhaka city elections. As per the EC, at least 67 foreign observers from six countries and the European Union (EU) will be observing the elections.

Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen yesterday expressed displeasure at foreign diplomats for ‘interference in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs’.  “They should follow their own sense of responsibility,” he said to journalists after attending a function in the city.

Momen also said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had directed all concerned to conduct a “model” election without any interference from the government. “We have a very fair and judicious system. We are very transparent. And our elections will be very transparent,” he added.

He further said that foreign envoys in the capital sometimes interfered excessively in domestic issues, thereby going beyond their own duties, which was regrettable. “The EC will decide who will go (to observe the polls) and who will not,” he added.

“We have a code of conduct. Diplomats have it too. We expect they will work as per the code of conduct,” the foreign minister said. Asked what action would be taken if they violated the code of conduct, Momen said the diplomats would be asked to leave.

Awami League (AL) advisory council member HT Imam yesterday said it was necessary to keep an eye on the foreign observers so that they did not meddle in internal matters during the elections. He made the comments to journalists after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the latter’s office in the capital.

“The overall situation of the election is fine. This has been possible because we assisted the EC. We have talked about ensuring that the observers follow the rules and regulations. They should not meddle here,” he added.

“Foreigners have no scope to interfere in other countries’ activities as there are many rules and regulations that they need to follow. Sometimes, many of them talk about the internal matters of our country. The situation in Bangladesh is not like it used to be. Democracy in Bangladesh is now very consolidated,” he observed.

Responding to a query regarding interference by foreigners, HT Imam said: “In the last election, an envoy entered the polling booth with a camera. Such things should not be repeated. We respect envoys. But it does not mean that they will interfere in our internal matters.” “Foreign observers must follow the rules and regulations during the elections. They should remember that they cannot do just about anything,” he added.

USA, UK expect free, fair polls

FM dismayed at foreign diplomats interference in domestic affairs

The United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) have expressed hope for a free, fair, participatory and peaceful Dhaka city election on February 1. Representatives from the two nations said that any violence in the elections is not a part of the practice of democracy and that peaceful elections go hand in hand with economic progress. British high commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said he expected the Dhaka city polls to be free, fair, and peaceful. He made the statement at the British high commission in the capital while exchanging views with journalists on Brexit. We have exchanged views with the four mayoral candidates and had discussions with the Election Commission (EC). We expect free, fair, and peaceful polls, he said. He expressed hope voters would cast votes in a peaceful and festive environment. Any kind of election violence is not any part of the practice of democracy, he added. Dickson said he will be joining other colleagues in the diplomatic community here to witness the democratic process and how the election goes. The US embassy in Dhaka wished for peaceful and participatory Dhaka city polls on its website. Peaceful elections and economic progress go hand in hand, it added. The USA, the UK, and some other countries are slated to deploy election observers to observe the Dhaka city elections. As per the EC, at least 67 foreign observers from six countries and the European Union (EU) will be observing the elections. Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen yesterday expressed displeasure at foreign diplomats for interference in Bangladeshs domestic affairs. They should follow their own sense of responsibility, he said to journalists after attending a function in the city. Momen also said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had directed all concerned to conduct a model election without any interference from the government. We have a very fair and judicious system. We are very transparent. And our elections will be very transparent, he added. He further said that foreign envoys in the capital sometimes interfered excessively in domestic issues, thereby going beyond their own duties, which was regrettable. The EC will decide who will go (to observe the polls) and who will not, he added. We have a code of conduct. Diplomats have it too. We expect they will work as per the code of conduct, the foreign minister said. Asked what action would be taken if they violated the code of conduct, Momen said the diplomats would be asked to leave. Awami League (AL) advisory council member HT Imam yesterday said it was necessary to keep an eye on the foreign observers so that they did not meddle in internal matters during the elections. He made the comments to journalists after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the latters office in the capital. The overall situation of the election is fine. This has been possible because we assisted the EC. We have talked about ensuring that the observers follow the rules and regulations. They should not meddle here, he added. Foreigners have no scope to interfere in other countries activities as there are many rules and regulations that they need to follow. Sometimes, many of them talk about the internal matters of our country. The situation in Bangladesh is not like it used to be. Democracy in Bangladesh is now very consolidated, he observed. Responding to a query regarding interference by foreigners, HT Imam said: In the last election, an envoy entered the polling booth with a camera. Such things should not be repeated. We respect envoys. But it does not mean that they will interfere in our internal matters. Foreign observers must follow the rules and regulations during the elections. They should remember that they cannot do just about anything, he added.