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26-05-2023
DHAKA: Bangladesh will take steps to tackle and prevent unlawful practices or interference in its elections, authorities said, a day after the United States threatened curbs on citizens of the South Asian nation who undermine them.
Concern flared after accusations of vote rigging and targeting of the political opposition marred national elections in 2014 and 2018, charges denied by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party won both.
The 2014 polls were boycotted by the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the US is adopting a new policy to restrict visas for Bangladeshis who undermine the democratic election process at home.
Blinken said the US was supporting “free, fair and peaceful national elections” and would target either pro-government or opposition supporters in the deeply polarized nation.
“I am announcing this policy to lend our support to all those seeking to advance democracy in Bangladesh,” said Blinken, who already has authority under the US law to restrict visas over election meddling.
He said the move could affect current or former officials and politicians and members of law enforcement, the judiciary and security services “believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh”.
“The holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society and the media,” he said in a statement.
In response, the Bangladesh foreign ministry issued a statement on Thursday, assuring of free and fair elections, due in January next year.
“The government apparatus will take necessary measures to prevent and address any unlawful practices or interference … to compromise the smooth and participatory conduct of the elections,” it said.
“The electoral process will remain under strict vigilance, including by international observers as accredited by the Election Commission.”
The commission retains the ability to perform its functions in full independence, credibility and efficiency, the ministry added. (Int’l News Desk)
