Sit to hold inclusive elections: Canada, France

Canada and France on Tuesday urged the major political parties in Bangladesh to sit and ‘negotiate a framework’ to hold future elections in a ‘non-violent’ and inclusive way through a change in ‘political culture’. Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden and France Ambassador Michel Trinquier came up with the observation at a joint press conference at the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka that was arranged to brief the media on Bangladesh Francophonie Week-2014. Cruden said that the major parties need to sit down and start negotiating a framework not just for the next election but also for the next five or 10 elections that will allow elections to take place in a non-violent way. Echoing Cruden’s observation, Trinquier said the country is peaceful for the time being, but it needs to last for a long time, according to UNB.