Statement of Russian envoy unwanted: BNP

FE Team | Published: February 02, 2024 22:10:20

FE REPORT
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) terms the statement of Russian ambassador Alexander Mantytskiy on the January 07 election 'unwanted and unexpected'.
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the comments in a statement issued on Friday.
"The comments made by the Russian envoy in Dhaka on the January 07 election are 'unwanted, unexpected and are similar to those of the Awami League, hurting the democratic sentiments of the people."
"It has come to our attention that the Russian envoy termed the BNP's statement on Russia's role in the 12th general election misleading and false," cited Mr Rizvi.
"He claimed that the people elected the government and 41.8 per cent of them voted, most of whom for the Awami League, in the polls," he continued.
"His unwanted, unintended and pro-Awami speech has hurt the democratic sentiments of the people of Bangladesh."
According to Mr Rizvi, Bangladeshi citizens outside the political circles of the Awami League have lost their rights and they are subjugated in their own country.
Over the last 15 years, he said, the people have been subjected to discrimination, injustice and oppression by corruption, misrule and repression perpetuated by the anti-people government.
Mr Rizvi said the "dummy election" was a complete sham with an eye to "illegally, immorally and unconstitutionally" prolonging the tenure of the Hasina government.
"The Election Commission fabricated claims about the number of votes cast, contradictory news, information, photos, videos and eyewitness accounts from polling stations across the country," he maintained.
"According to sources, less than 5.0 per cent of voters actually cast their ballots," he claimed.
The BNP leader further said that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed sheer dismay following the announcement of the "pre-arranged" results of the election.
The European Union also expressed disappointment with the election, particularly the non-participation of major political parties, calling for a timely and thorough investigation into all electoral anomalies.
He said that the United States concurred with other observers, adding that the election was neither fair nor free.
Canada expressed dismay that Bangladesh's electoral process has deviated from the principles of democracy and freedom on which Bangladesh was founded, he added.
"Australia highlighted the importance of free and fair elections, regretting that the elections were held in an environment where parties could not participate meaningfully and inclusively."
"In addition, seven prominent international organisations issued a joint statement calling for a fresh election under a neutral government in Bangladesh," added Mr Rizvi.
He said the decision on boycotting the election by the BNP and 62 other parties was correct and it reflected on the aspirations of the masses.
According to Mr Rizvi, the BNP along with other democratically minded political parties has been in the movement to restore democracy in the country.
"BNP urges Russia to show due respect to the people's aspirations, mutual interests of the two countries and democratic values of the people…," he concluded.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com