UN Correspondent from New York, May 15 (Just News): Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said the United Nations continue to call for the need for all parties and all authorities to respect the need for free and fair elections in Bangladesh and will continue to do that.
Farhan came up with this comment in reply to a question asked by a Bangladeshi journalist at UN noon briefing over irregularities and vote rigging in Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election on Tuesday.
At the briefing UN correspondent and Just News BD editor M Mushfiqul asked “On Bangladesh, you are urging for peaceful, free and credible election for a long time from this podium and the Secretary‑General is willing to see. But, I'm wondering what is the best possible way to hold a free, fair, credible election in Bangladesh? Because just yesterday, the one major mayoral election of Khulna ended with widespread irregularities and shows of muscle by the ruling Government authorities, later today… so the polls were marked by the irregularities, including ballot‑stuffing, driving out of the agents of the Bangladesh National Party, and obstructing reporters to enter the polling station, as the Administration went silent and sometimes deaf and sometimes the law and forces agencies helped the irregularities, so what is your observation on these issues?”
In response Deputy Spokesman said “Well, as you pointed out, we continue to call for the need for all parties and all authorities to respect the need for free and fair elections in Bangladesh and will continue to do that.”
(Justnews/ys/1350hr)
