Act responsibly, honour people's will, UN chief urges parties

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FE Report
Secretary-General of United Nations Ban Ki-moon Saturday reiterated his call for peaceful holding of elections in Bangladesh, which is due on December 29.
He also appealed to all political parties to continue to demonstrate responsibility, participate fully and honour the will of the Bangladeshi people.
Mr. Ban said this in a statement circulated at a press conference, organised by the UN polls assessment team at a city hotel on Saturday.
In the statement, the UN secretary general hoped the caretaker government and the election commission will continue their efforts to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair atmosphere.
Mr. Ban stressed that a stable post-election climate would be vital for the effectiveness and sustainability of the nation's democracy.
He also urged all political parties, irrespective of their performance in the elections, to work together in a spirit of dialogue and compromise, and address the challenges facing the nation. Such cooperation should include an enhanced role for the opposition in parliament, he said.
The head of the three-member UN panel, Francesc Vendrell, read out the statement at the conference, which was also attended by Bhojraj Pokharel, chief election commissioner of Nepal and Aracelly Santana, former deputy director of the United Nations electoral assistance division.
At the press briefing, Mr. Vendrell, former UN assistant Secretary General, said this is a significant election for Bangladesh as it is the first election in seven years after staying almost two years under an unelected government.
This is the second visit by this high-level UN panel to Bangladesh this year. It first undertook its visit from November 23 to 29 to assess the political situation in Bangladesh on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During his November 1 visit to Dhaka, Ban Ki-moon announced to send the UN panel, formed in response to a request made by the caretaker government of Bangladesh.
On their role, Mr. Vendrell categorically said: "As we said during our first visit to Bangladesh that we are not here as an observer. This is not an observer team. We are here to asses the climate of the polling day and days onwards."
A large number of observers from Asia, European Union and the United States have already come here to observe the election, he informed.
When asked about the preparations taken regarding the ninth parliamentary elections, Mr. Vendrell said: "Over the years preparations have been taken for this poll. Things needed for a credible election are in place. Good systems are also in place for the poll."
"Our impression is very positive about this poll," he said.
The former personal representative of the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan also said they are unaware of any apprehension of violence centering the elections.
He said: "There is no reason to fear. We hope there will be no violence."
But at the same time he said incident of violence, to some extent, is always there during any election.
Bhojraj Pokharel, chief election commissioner of Nepal, also said the people of Bangladesh are eagerly for installation of a democratic government.
Andrew Bruce, UN department of political affairs, was also present on the occasion.