The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, who recently visited Bangladesh for discussion with government and opposition parties, called on the Government and the Election Commission to provide a conducive environment for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections on 30 December 2018.
The
Secretary-General has noted with concern reports, over the last
several weeks, of violence, intimidation and harassment against
several candidates and political party activists. The
Secretary-General emphasised the importance of a political and
campaign environment free from intimidation and fear, and called on
all political parties and stakeholders to participate peacefully in
the electoral process.
The
Secretary-General has deployed a two-member senior staff team,
who are already on the ground, to observe the poll and to meet with
the Electoral Commission and some of the stakeholders who will
participate in the election, including the Commonwealth’s
international partners in Dhaka.
Scotland
called on the Government and people of Bangladesh to uphold the
Commonwealth Charter which recognises the inalienable right of
individuals to participate in their national democratic processes, in
particular, through free and fair elections in shaping the society in
which they live. Scotland said, “The people of Bangladesh
must be allowed to participate, nurture and strengthen their national
democratic processes and institutions."
The
Secretary-General conveyed her best wishes to the people of
Bangladesh as they prepare to participate in their national election.
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