UN Correspondent from New York, Nov 9 (Just News): The United Nations emphasized the need for the elections in Bangladesh to be inclusive, credible and transparent, said Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
The Deputy Spokesperson came up with the comment at the noon briefing at UN Headquarter on Friday in reply to a question to Bangladesh election situation and schedule announcement.
At the briefing Bangladeshi journalist and UN correspondent M Mushfiqul Fazal asked “Bangladesh comment on Bangladesh. Bangladesh Government has declared the next election schedule on 23 December, just ahead of Christmas. Major opposition parties are in dialogue with the ruling authority, but without any conclusion or accepting any demands of the opposition, the controversial chief election commissioner has declared the election schedule. Main opposition leader Khaleda Zia is still in jail. Opposition party and civil society groups already oppose the one-sided election schedule and urging for a level playing field before declaring any election day. What is… is UN's position? And is Secretary-General aware of this? Because UN is urging for a free, fair and credible election all the way.”
In reply Deputy Spokesperson said, “We're aware of the latest developments on the ground and are monitoring it. Our priorities are the need for the elections in Bangladesh to be inclusive, credible and transparent, so we'll continue to study the arrangements and see whether those particular priorities are upheld, so that will be what we're weighing as we consider what the appropriate timing would be.”
(Justnews/ys/0230hr)
