City polls

Failure to probe ‘irregularities a shame’: Gibson

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson yesterday described as 'a great shame' the failure to fully and clearly investigate the allegations of irregularities during the elections to Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chittagong City Corporations on April 28.
He also reiterated the United Kingdom's call for all the political parties and stakeholders to engage in discussion to ensure democracy that Bangladesh deserves.
The UK envoy observed that the BNP's decision to boycott the parliamentary elections on January 5, 2014 was unfortunate and that he did not know whether the decision was justified or not.
"In the morning (of April 28), there was no indication of violence and disruption taken place. I welcomed that. And, I hoped that would be taken forward for the rest of the day," Gibson said while replying to a volley of questions regarding democracy in Bangladesh at a programme styled DCAB Talk, organised by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh at National Press Club in the capital.
"As we know, that did not happen. Shortly after morning, the situation changed and there seems to be considerable evidence on social media and press that things of disruption and interference with election process had taken place," he said.

Flanked by DCAB President Masud Karim and General Secretary Bashir Ahmed, the High commissioner said, "I hoped, given the amount of evidence that was on the social media and in the press about the interference with the election process, there would have been a full, clear investigation to those accusations. But, that did not appear to have happened.”
"And that I think is a great shame," he added.  Gibson mentioned that there had been no legal challenge to the elections and the Election Commission had declared the results.
To another question, the envoy said, "Parliament is the institution where democracy is preserved. It was unfortunate that the BNP chose not to take part in the (January 5 parliamentary) election. I don't know whether it is justified or not."
He also said that it would have never be known what the outcome could be had the BNP taken part in that election.
"I hope that they (BNP) would continue to engage in the discussion," he added.
Referring to his condemnation of violence that was associated with political activities over the last few years, Gibson said, "I called upon all political parties and stakeholders to engage in political discussion to ensure that Bangladesh has a democracy which it deserves."
He said that democracy is difficult to define and not only about elections and that people of Bangladesh want democracy.
Mentioning a new threat termed 'modern authoritarianism', the British high commissioner said "Governments around the world that practice modern authoritarianism seek to dominate not only the executive and legislative branches, but also the media, the judiciary, civil society, the economy, and the security forces."
"Authoritarians consider it imperative to ensure favourable electoral outcomes through a certain amount of fraud, gerrymandering, handpicking of election commissions, and other such rigging techniques," he said. When asked if the modern authoritarianism is present in Bangladesh, Gibson avoided a direct reply.

City polls

Failure to probe irregularities a shame: Gibson

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson yesterday described as a great shame the failure to fully and clearly investigate the allegations of irregularities during the elections to Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chittagong City Corporations on April 28. He also reiterated the United Kingdoms call for all the political parties and stakeholders to engage in discussion to ensure democracy that Bangladesh deserves. The UK envoy observed that the BNPs decision to boycott the parliamentary elections on January 5, 2014 was unfortunate and that he did not know whether the decision was justified or not. In the morning (of April 28), there was no indication of violence and disruption taken place. I welcomed that. And, I hoped that would be taken forward for the rest of the day, Gibson said while replying to a volley of questions regarding democracy in Bangladesh at a programme styled DCAB Talk, organised by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh at National Press Club in the capital. As we know, that did not happen. Shortly after morning, the situation changed and there seems to be considerable evidence on social media and press that things of disruption and interference with election process had taken place, he said. Flanked by DCAB President Masud Karim and General Secretary Bashir Ahmed, the High commissioner said, I hoped, given the amount of evidence that was on the social media and in the press about the interference with the election process, there would have been a full, clear investigation to those accusations. But, that did not appear to have happened. And that I think is a great shame, he added. Gibson mentioned that there had been no legal challenge to the elections and the Election Commission had declared the results. To another question, the envoy said, Parliament is the institution where democracy is preserved. It was unfortunate that the BNP chose not to take part in the (January 5 parliamentary) election. I dont know whether it is justified or not. He also said that it would have never be known what the outcome could be had the BNP taken part in that election. I hope that they (BNP) would continue to engage in the discussion, he added. Referring to his condemnation of violence that was associated with political activities over the last few years, Gibson said, I called upon all political parties and stakeholders to engage in political discussion to ensure that Bangladesh has a democracy which it deserves. He said that democracy is difficult to define and not only about elections and that people of Bangladesh want democracy. Mentioning a new threat termed modern authoritarianism, the British high commissioner said Governments around the world that practice modern authoritarianism seek to dominate not only the executive and legislative branches, but also the media, the judiciary, civil society, the economy, and the security forces. Authoritarians consider it imperative to ensure favourable electoral outcomes through a certain amount of fraud, gerrymandering, handpicking of election commissions, and other such rigging techniques, he said. When asked if the modern authoritarianism is present in Bangladesh, Gibson avoided a direct reply.