EU wants to see inclusive election in Bangladesh

PBC NEWS DESK: The European Union (EU) wants to see an inclusive parliamentary election in Bangladesh, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday.Quader, who is also the Bridges Minister, said they told the EU diplomats at a closed-door meeting that they were adamant to hold inclusive elections in accordance with the constitution.

“We have talked to diplomats of EU’s seven countries. Today’s (Thursday) meeting was arranged to hold talks with the EU ahead of the next general election. They want that all political parties including BNP will participate in the election,” he said emerging from the meeting held at Gulshan in Dhaka on Thursday (February 16, 2023).

Apart from Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, the meeting was attended by Presidium Member Kazi Zafrullah, Information Secretary Salim Mahmud, Office Secretary Biplab Barua, and Central Committee Member Mohammad A Arafat.

Diplomats from seven European Union countries pose for a photograph with Awami League delegation before a closed-door meeting at Gulshan in the capital on Thursday Diplomats from seven European Union countries pose for a photograph with Awami League delegation before a closed-door meeting at Gulshan in the capital on Thursday.

The EU diplomats said they want a peaceful and inclusive election and Awami League leaders assured that they will assist the Election Commission.

Regarding BNP, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said they want BNP to participate in the polls, but the party does not believe in it.

He further said BNP did not attend the dialogue called by the president and the Election Commission as well.

Awami League leaders said there is no way to reintroduce the caretaker or interim government during the election. Rather, they want to establish a permanent voting system, as European countries do during their national elections.

The Swedish ambassador present at the meeting said they are not interested in election results but they are interested in the election process.