As Bangladesh gears up for the January 2024 normal elections, the federal government has reiterated its dedication to holding a free and truthful election.
Speaking to the Daily Sabah not too long ago, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister A. Okay. Abdul Momen dismissed any speculations after a number of Western nations raised their issues over the polls.
“Democracy, human rights, and justice are on the coronary heart of our nation’s ideas. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tirelessly labored to ascertain and shield these basic rights, following within the footsteps of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
“Our authorities has applied measures to make sure free and truthful elections, like using biometric voter IDs and clear poll containers, with the assist of an impartial Election Commission,” he added.
He identified that the federal government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has established a really highly effective, and extremely impartial Bangladesh Election Commission, which has broad energy and is accountable to conduct elections with out favor or concern.
“They have the authority to droop, switch or terminate any officers each civilian and safety in the event that they discover any interference or partisanship. More importantly, they’ve the ability to cancel the election in any heart if they’re satisfied that fraud or muscle energy is used and vote rigging occurred.”
Minister Momen additionally underlined that the Awami League-led (AL) authorities, which has been in energy for practically 20 years, carried out 1000’s of elections and apart from a microscopic few, by and huge, elections have been free and truthful.
“Only not too long ago, Mayoral elections in 5 cities have been carried out and every of those elections was free, truthful, and even non-violent. The Election Commission deserves thanks for a splendid job.”
Friendship to all
Speaking of Bangladesh’s diplomatic stance, Minister Momen stated his authorities follows a “friendship to all, malice in the direction of none” police and dismissed any hypothesis of a rebalancing towards China.
“Just a few nations particularly the U.S., India, Japan, Australia and EU nations are attempting to include the rise and unfold of China. Since Bangladesh could be very strategically positioned, in between China and India, and it maintains a really balanced and non-aligned overseas coverage.”
“Recently Bangladesh introduced its Indo-Pacific Outlook wherein it proposes to have open, free, safe, inclusive, and rules-based navigation for all. Both India and Japan have related views,” he added.
Momen stated it was unlucky that some misconceptions exist about Dhaka’s relationship with Beijing.
“We interact with a number of nations, together with China, on varied tasks. However, it is important to notice that we collaborate with different nations as properly, resembling Japan, South Korea, and India, for vital infrastructural developments.”
“Our borrowing practices are cautious, and our overseas debt-to-GDP ratio stays properly beneath the IMF’s threshold of concern. We prioritize sustainable financial progress and diversify our partnerships with many nations, together with the U.S.,” Momen stated.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
