British envoy sees wide scope of participation in Dec 18 elections
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
British High Commissioner (HC) in Bangladesh Stephen Evans Tuesday said there was a wide scope of participation in the December 18 general elections and expressed the hope that the polls would be held in a free and fair manner, reports BSS.
The UK envoy made the remark while talking to journalists after a meeting with Awami League (AL) president and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her residence Sudha Sadan in the city.
During the meeting, he said, "We discussed wide range of issues, including the election, in a cordial atmosphere." The HC said the scheduled parliament elections were drawing nearer and it was expected that all the political parties would participate in it.
Responding to a question about participation of BNP, Stephen Evans said, "it's a matter of BNP, but as a high commissioner of a country having good relations with Bangladesh and an observer, I see there is a wide scope of participation in the election."
"The parliament election in Bangladesh will create an opportunity to install a democratic government to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people," the British HC observed.
Replying to another question, Stephen Evans said the caretaker government (CG) and political parties would decide on ensuring equal rights of all during electioneering.
Briefing the newsmen, Sheikh Hasina's special assistant Hasan Mahmud quoted the AL president as saying, "We want December 18 general election to be held in a peaceful manner with participation of all political parties."
bdnews24.com adds: Sheikh Hasina has expressed qualms about the forthcoming polls, her aide said.
Hasina shared her doubts over the elections at a Jubo League meeting Tuesday, said Mahbubul Hoque Shakil, Hasina's deputy press secretary.
A Jubo League delegation, headed by chairman Jahangir Kabir Nanak and general secretary Mirza Azam, met the AL president to mark the organisation's 36th founding anniversary.
She said unemployed youths will be provided once AL comes to power after the elections.
The UK envoy made the remark while talking to journalists after a meeting with Awami League (AL) president and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her residence Sudha Sadan in the city.
During the meeting, he said, "We discussed wide range of issues, including the election, in a cordial atmosphere." The HC said the scheduled parliament elections were drawing nearer and it was expected that all the political parties would participate in it.
Responding to a question about participation of BNP, Stephen Evans said, "it's a matter of BNP, but as a high commissioner of a country having good relations with Bangladesh and an observer, I see there is a wide scope of participation in the election."
"The parliament election in Bangladesh will create an opportunity to install a democratic government to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people," the British HC observed.
Replying to another question, Stephen Evans said the caretaker government (CG) and political parties would decide on ensuring equal rights of all during electioneering.
Briefing the newsmen, Sheikh Hasina's special assistant Hasan Mahmud quoted the AL president as saying, "We want December 18 general election to be held in a peaceful manner with participation of all political parties."
bdnews24.com adds: Sheikh Hasina has expressed qualms about the forthcoming polls, her aide said.
Hasina shared her doubts over the elections at a Jubo League meeting Tuesday, said Mahbubul Hoque Shakil, Hasina's deputy press secretary.
A Jubo League delegation, headed by chairman Jahangir Kabir Nanak and general secretary Mirza Azam, met the AL president to mark the organisation's 36th founding anniversary.
She said unemployed youths will be provided once AL comes to power after the elections.