BSS :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said democracy must continue in Bangladesh at any cost, reiterating her commitment to hold the next general election in a free and fair manner.
“Democracy should continue in Bangladesh at any cost. In no way, the undemocratic forces should assume power,” she said.
Hasina said this when a delegation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) of Bangladesh paid a courtesy call on her at her place of residence, the Taj Hotel, in London on Monday.
Rushanara Ali MP, chair of APPG on Bangladesh and on Rohingya and the UK shadow minister for Investment and Small Business led the delegation.
Other members comprising the delegation are APPG on Bangladesh members, Vice Chair Virendra Sharma MP, Vice Chair Valerie Vaz MP, Vice Chair Imran Hussain MP, and Foysol Choudhury MSP, chair of Cross-party Group on Bangladesh at the Scottish Parliament.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters after the courtesy call.
Sheikh Hasina told the APPG delegation that they are committed to holding a free and fair election, saying all the reforms required to this end have already been made.
The PM said they have enacted a law for formation of the new election commission (EC) through a search committee and giving the EC complete administrative and financial independence to work independently to hold free and fair elections.
She also said the voter list was prepared with photographs and transparent ballot boxes in line with her party Awami League’s proposal placed while it was in opposition.
The APPGs delegation has expressed their satisfaction with the preparation to hold a free and fair election in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has offered the APPGs delegation to send an election observer team to oversee the next general election, Foreign Minister Momen said.
All the members of the APPGs praised the remarkable development of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Hasina.
The prime minister, in reply, said the massive development of Bangladesh has been possible due to having continued democracy and a stable situation for a long time.
