Inclusive polls depend on political parties: UN

The United Nations wants to see Bangladesh’s political parties’ willingness to deal with issues ahead of the next national election in a ‘peaceful and amicable fashion’, as participatory elections depend on the willingness of all parties, reports UNB.
“Ultimately, that (participatory elections) depends, of course, on the willingness of the parties to deal with each other. And we encourage them to do that,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, at a press briefing yesterday.
He made the remark when a questioner wanted to know whether Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, is still working on behalf of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon “for participatory and inclusive election” in Bangladesh.
The deputy spokesperson also said Taranco still heads UN peace building support office and that is the work that he does.
“He (Taranco) travelled to Bangladesh in the past, and he’ll do so again as circumstances allow,” said Haq.
He described the deaths of different people, including of secular activists and people from minority communities and others as questions of “extreme concern”.
“That's essentially a separate issue, where you've seen attacks by extremist elements against different
communities.  And you'll have seen the concerns that the Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights have expressed, and we reiterate those again today,” Haq added.

Inclusive polls depend on political parties: UN

The United Nations wants to see Bangladeshs political parties willingness to deal with issues ahead of the next national election in a peaceful and amicable fashion, as participatory elections depend on the willingness of all parties, reports UNB. Ultimately, that (participatory elections) depends, of course, on the willingness of the parties to deal with each other. And we encourage them to do that, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, at a press briefing yesterday. He made the remark when a questioner wanted to know whether Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, is still working on behalf of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for participatory and inclusive election in Bangladesh. The deputy spokesperson also said Taranco still heads UN peace building support office and that is the work that he does. He (Taranco) travelled to Bangladesh in the past, and hell do so again as circumstances allow, said Haq. He described the deaths of different people, including of secular activists and people from minority communities and others as questions of extreme concern. Thats essentially a separate issue, where youve seen attacks by extremist elements against different communities. And youll have seen the concerns that the Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights have expressed, and we reiterate those again today, Haq added.