Strongly denouncing
the election-day violence in Bangladesh, Western powers have said there are
“credible” reports that polls irregularities marred the voting on December 30.
Diplomatic sources
said the strongly-worded statements from the USA, the UK, and the European
Union was indicative that they might mount pressure on the Bangladesh
authorities for transparent examinations into the alleged irregularities,
violent incidents, intimidation and harassment that created obstacles for the
opposition candidates to campaign freely.
The UN also echoed the
concerns, saying that it was aware of violent incidents and reports of
irregularities in the Bangladesh general elections.
“We encourage the
parties to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal
means,” the spokesperson for the UN secretary-general said in a statement on
Monday.
Meanwhile, US
Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller and UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo
separately met with Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque yesterday and discussed
issues raised in the US and UN statements on the Bangladesh polls.
According to
diplomatic sources, the US ambassador at the meeting mentioned about a
resolution adopted unanimously by the US House of Representatives on December
12.
The resolution (H.
Res. 1169) titled “Reaffirming the commitment of the United States to promote
free, fair, transparent and credible elections in Bangladesh” had called on the
Bangladesh government to respect the freedom of speech and of the press and to
heed the Bangladesh Election Commission's request to ensure security for
minorities and maintain communal harmony for a peaceful election.
It had also urged the
Bangladesh political leaders and judicial authorities to respect the will of
voters and ensure that all Bangladeshis would be able to participate freely in
the elections, and that the polls would be impartial and inclusive.
Conveying the message
of their respective authorities to the foreign secretary, the US and UN envoys
said Bangladesh should ensure addressing the claims and allegations of
irregularities, said diplomatic sources.
Issues of cooperation
and future engagement between Bangladesh and the US and the UN also came up for
discussion at the meetings.
Meanwhile, Canada in a
statement yesterday said it was disappointed by credible claims of
irregularities exhibited during the campaign.
“While welcoming the
increased participation of opposition parties in this election, Canada remains
disappointed by credible claims of irregularities exhibited during the campaign
and calls on the relevant authorities to work transparently with all parties to
address these claims,” said Global Affairs Canada.
It called upon all
concerned to proceed in a peaceful and lawful manner and to ensure that the
rights to freedom of expression and assembly are protected in the transition
period leading up to the installation of a new government.
Earlier on Tuesday,
Mark Field, British minister of state for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office, in a statement said, “I am aware of credible accounts
of obstacles, including arrests, that constrained or prevented campaigning by
opposition parties, and of irregularities in the conduct of elections on
polling day that prevented some people from voting.
He called for a full,
credible and transparent resolution of all complaints related to the conduct of
the elections.
“I deplore the acts of
intimidation and unlawful violence that have taken place during the campaign
period, and am deeply concerned by the incidents that led to so many deaths on
the polling day. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who
have lost loved ones,” he added.
Free, fair, peaceful,
and participatory elections were essential to any functioning democracy, said
the British minister of state.
“It is vital for the
government and all political parties to now work together to address
differences and find a way forward in line with the interests of the people of
Bangladesh.”
He said the UK would
continue to support the people of Bangladesh in their aspirations for a more
stable, prosperous, and democratic future.
In another statement
on Tuesday, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Maja
Kocijancic said, “Violence has marred the election day, and significant
obstacles to a level playing field remained in place throughout the process and
have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote.”
He said the relevant
authorities should now ensure a proper examination of allegations of
irregularities and commit to full transparency in their resolution.
The USA in a press
statement said, “We note with concern credible reports of harassment,
intimidation, and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult
for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and
campaign freely,”
“We are also concerned that election-day
irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the
electoral process,” Robert Palladino, deputy spokesperson at the US state
department said on Tuesday.
Courtesy:
The Daily Star Jan 03, 2019
