Canadian envoy launches vote-promotion campaign
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson Tuesday said next year's election represents a critical moment in Bangladesh's history and an opportunity for a return to sustainable democracy, reports UNB
She urged Bangladeshis to turn out and register to vote for the next election to elect their representatives who will govern the country and play a role in the international stage.
Richardson made the remarks while launching vote- promotion campaign by handing over sports caps and reflective stickers with slogan 'apnar vote, apnar odhikar' to rickshawpullers in Madani Road at Baridhara as part of a month-long campaign.
The envoy said the values underlying Canada's partnership with Bangladesh are values that are shared in both the countries-such as freedom, human rights, the rule of law and democracy.
"Canada will continue to support Bangladesh towards ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election process," she said.
In reply to a question, Ms Richardson said political parties should find a new way to work together to resolve the issue that need to be resolved to ensure appropriate laws to limit the kind of financing the parties and decide who can represent the parties through their internal reforms.
Asked about full withdrawal of restriction on political parties as well as state of emergency, she said there has to be a process of deciding when is a good time to allow the full return to political activities because all recognize what happened before the January 11 state of emergency.
The Canadian diplomat said, "I think the government is trying to move properly and carefully towards the elections."
She said before the local-body elections, the state of emergency should be lifted to allow the parties to conduct electioneering.
Congratulating the Election Commission on doing their work, Ms Richardson said this is a chance for all Bangladeshis to ensure that the voter list for next election is the most accurate ever.
Explaining the reasons for the launch of the street campaign through rickshawpullers, she said these people represent all hardworking Bangladeshis who want to have the chance to decide their own future, "so we decided to focus on campaign on them."
The campaign in collaboration with three NGOs-ESDO, YPSA and Uttaran--will be conducted in Dhaka, Chittagong, Jessore and Khulna to call attention on the voter-registration process and preparation for the next elections.
Some 28,000 sports caps and 28,000 reflective stickers, inscribed with 'apnar vote, apnar adhikar', will be distributed during the drive that will continue till mid-December.
She urged Bangladeshis to turn out and register to vote for the next election to elect their representatives who will govern the country and play a role in the international stage.
Richardson made the remarks while launching vote- promotion campaign by handing over sports caps and reflective stickers with slogan 'apnar vote, apnar odhikar' to rickshawpullers in Madani Road at Baridhara as part of a month-long campaign.
The envoy said the values underlying Canada's partnership with Bangladesh are values that are shared in both the countries-such as freedom, human rights, the rule of law and democracy.
"Canada will continue to support Bangladesh towards ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election process," she said.
In reply to a question, Ms Richardson said political parties should find a new way to work together to resolve the issue that need to be resolved to ensure appropriate laws to limit the kind of financing the parties and decide who can represent the parties through their internal reforms.
Asked about full withdrawal of restriction on political parties as well as state of emergency, she said there has to be a process of deciding when is a good time to allow the full return to political activities because all recognize what happened before the January 11 state of emergency.
The Canadian diplomat said, "I think the government is trying to move properly and carefully towards the elections."
She said before the local-body elections, the state of emergency should be lifted to allow the parties to conduct electioneering.
Congratulating the Election Commission on doing their work, Ms Richardson said this is a chance for all Bangladeshis to ensure that the voter list for next election is the most accurate ever.
Explaining the reasons for the launch of the street campaign through rickshawpullers, she said these people represent all hardworking Bangladeshis who want to have the chance to decide their own future, "so we decided to focus on campaign on them."
The campaign in collaboration with three NGOs-ESDO, YPSA and Uttaran--will be conducted in Dhaka, Chittagong, Jessore and Khulna to call attention on the voter-registration process and preparation for the next elections.
Some 28,000 sports caps and 28,000 reflective stickers, inscribed with 'apnar vote, apnar adhikar', will be distributed during the drive that will continue till mid-December.