The Crime Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the Awami League government also wants to conduct the next general election in Bangladesh in a free and fair manner like in the United Kingdom and seeks everyone’s cooperation for this purpose.
He made these comments in a bilateral meeting held with the Prime Minister at Claridge’s Hotel’s meeting room with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his wife Susanna Sparks. Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the only sister of the Prime Minister, and others were present in the meeting.
Quoting the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, AK Abdul Momen said, ‘We want a fair election. My party has always maintained democracy in the country. We have given a strong foundation to the country’s democracy.’
After the meeting yesterday (May 6), during the briefing of journalists at the hotel, the foreign minister said that the foreign minister of the United Kingdom spoke about the upcoming general election in Bangladesh.
In response, Sheikh Hasina said, “We are committed to a fair election, which requires the participation of all.” “I want everyone’s cooperation to make a fair election.”
The Prime Minister said that the Awami League government has done everything necessary to hold a fair election so that no one can rig the election. Voter lists with pictures and transparent ballot boxes have been prepared.
On the other hand, BNP created a voter list by adding 1 crore and 23 lakh fake voters for vote rigging.
He said that the Election Commission has been made sufficiently independent and strengthened, in addition to creating an institutional framework for conducting fair elections.
The Prime Minister said that they believe in Westminster-style democracy, following which Bangladesh has introduced question-and-answer sessions in the National Parliament.
Momen said that apart from the Rohingya issue, several bilateral issues such as climate, business, and trade were discussed in the meeting.
The British Foreign Secretary praised the humanitarian role of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in providing shelter to a large number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
He said that Britain will stand by Bangladesh in the speedy repatriation of Rohingyas.
Momen said that the British government raised a bill in the Security Council on the Rohingya issue and played an effective role in passing the resolution.
The UK Foreign Secretary expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for attending the coronation of King Charles III.
Sheikh Hasina said that when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman came to London after being released from Pakistani prison, he was given a warm welcome. Since then, Bangladesh has had a very good relationship with the UK.
James Cleverley said, “The relationship between Bangladesh and the UK has been very deep over the years and is only getting stronger by the day.”
He praised the economic progress of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh lavished praise on the late Queen Elizabeth II and recalled that the Queen always looked out for her and her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana.
Foreign Minister Momen said that Sheikh Hasina exchanged views with King Charles III during the Commonwealth Leaders event. The Prime Minister invited the King to visit Bangladesh, and the King responded positively.
Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Tofazzel Hossain Mia, Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen, Prime Minister’s Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem, among others, were present at the briefing. Source: BSS
