UK hails removal of restrictions to involve parties in election process
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Visiting British Foreign Ministry official John Dennis Tuesday said, the UK welcomes the progressive removal of restrictions and creation of a greater atmosphere to involve the political community in the election process, reports UNB.
"What is important is when the elections take place, they should take place in open and transparent environment… It's the matter to be decided by the people, and particular measures need to be taken by the government," he told the reporters after a meeting with Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain.
Dennis, director for Asia at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, arrived in the city Tuesday on a three-day first-ever visit to Bangladesh.
He said, the British government supports the Caretaker Government's endeavours to make it possible to hold free and fair elections by the end of the next year.
"We reviewed some of the ways in which the British government and some other friends and partners are helping to make the election process a reality," he said.
Asked if he thinks a credible election is possible when the leaders of major parties are either in jail or fleeing the scene, Dennis said, the Election Commission has embarked on political dialogues with parties on one hand, and is taking some certain actions against certain individuals on the other.
"We hope that due process will be followed in particular action against particular individuals, and the cases are now sub-judiced," he said.
"What is important is when the elections take place, they should take place in open and transparent environment… It's the matter to be decided by the people, and particular measures need to be taken by the government," he told the reporters after a meeting with Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain.
Dennis, director for Asia at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, arrived in the city Tuesday on a three-day first-ever visit to Bangladesh.
He said, the British government supports the Caretaker Government's endeavours to make it possible to hold free and fair elections by the end of the next year.
"We reviewed some of the ways in which the British government and some other friends and partners are helping to make the election process a reality," he said.
Asked if he thinks a credible election is possible when the leaders of major parties are either in jail or fleeing the scene, Dennis said, the Election Commission has embarked on political dialogues with parties on one hand, and is taking some certain actions against certain individuals on the other.
"We hope that due process will be followed in particular action against particular individuals, and the cases are now sub-judiced," he said.