City reporter: Minister of Foreign Affairs. Hasan Mahmud said, ‘BNP-Jamaat has always tried to endanger the country. Just as a cow never dies due to the prayers of vultures, there will be no misfortune in Bangladesh due to the BNP’s ill wishes. We have excellent relations with all East and West. I want to advance the country by deepening the relationship with everyone.
He said this to reporters at Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport on Tuesday morning (January 16). After that, the Foreign Minister was welcomed outside the airport by the joint initiative of the Chittagong Metropolitan, North, and South District Awami League.
The minister said that this year’s election has attracted people’s attention internationally. The international community’s acceptance is evidenced by the fact that many election observers have visited Bangladesh. Observers from the United States, the IRI, the European Union, SAARC, the OIC, and Commonwealth countries, as well as observers from various other organizations, came to Bangladesh. All of them expressed their opinion, and at the same time, fair and beautiful elections were held in Bangladesh. This election saw relatively less violence than other elections. This is the biggest thing.
The European Union and the United States went to the Election Commission for various observations. Hasan said our foreign friends are interested in our election; that’s why he went to the Election Commission. I saw in the paper today that they are satisfied with the information given by the Election Commission. A fair and free election was held in Bangladesh in a festive atmosphere with massive participation from the people. Most of the registered parties participated in this election. You know, on the day of the election, it was very cold and foggy. That’s why the voting percentage is about 42 percent. Had it not been for the fog and winter, more votes would have been cast.
He said, You know that BNP has tried to scare people by the way BNP has carried out fire terror to obstruct and resist this election, the way they have carried out fire terror on the night of the 5th as well. But people were not afraid; people spontaneously went to vote.
The foreign minister said that it is not possible to give the exact percentage of votes actually cast every two hours in manual voting. If the EVMA voted, it would be registered immediately. Since there is no EVMA voting, it is not possible to provide accurate data every two hours in manual voting. That is why the correct information came at the end of the election.
There are 1.4 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar of Greater Chittagong. You have taken the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; will you take the initiative to send them back? Hasan Mahmud said, Look, we are always trying diplomatically. We are increasing our engagement with them. I am going to the Nam Summit, where I am scheduled to meet with the Foreign Minister of Myanmar. We believe we can resolve this issue diplomatically.
