UN Correspondent from New York, Dec 21 (Just News): Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said they concerned by the reports of incidents of electoral violence and arrests of opposition members in Bangladesh.
The UN secretary general’s spokesperson came up with comment on Friday at noon briefing held at UN headquarter in reply to a question over pre-election violence, arrests of opposition in Bangladesh.
In his briefing, Dujarric said, “we call on all stakeholders to do their part to make sure that the election is inclusive and transparent.”
“It’s, of course, very important that the security forces act to ensure free and unhindered campaigning by all candidates,” he said.
At the briefing UN Correspondent and Just News BD editor M Mushfiqul Fazal asked, “Crackdown on opposition candidates and supporters by the ruling authority. Do you still believe the upcoming election of Bangladesh will be free, fair and credible, as now they are disqualifying opposition candidates?”
In reply the Spokesman said, “As I've told you, we are all following these developments very closely and we're concerned by the reports of incidents of electoral violence and arrests of opposition members and we call on all stakeholders to do their part to make sure that the election is inclusive and transparent.”
“In this respect, it's, of course, very important that the security forces act to ensure free and unhindered campaigning by all candidates. Bangladeshi citizens should feel confident in their ability to safely exercise their right to vote. Civil society and electoral observers also need to be fully supported to play their role in this process,” Dujarric added.
(Justnews/ys/1220hr)
