Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ During a meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland at her place of residence in London, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the Commonwealth to dispatch a diverse group of election observers to Bangladesh to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections. Following the meeting, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen informed reporters that the Prime Minister had raised the issue of elections and requested the Commonwealth to send election observers to ensure a peaceful, fair, and participatory election. Momen stated, “Our Prime Minister raised the issue of elections and proposed the Commonwealth to send diversified election observers to oversee the next parliamentary polls”.
In response, the Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland expressed the organization’s willingness to help Bangladesh hold the upcoming general election in a fair manner. The Secretary General also noted that the organization had helped hold fair elections in many of its member countries and emphasized the importance of political commitment from all parties to participate in the election, accept the results, and refrain from resorting to violence, regardless of whether they win or lose. Momen said, “They have said that they want to help us (in holding a free and fair election) and we have welcomed them. We also want the election to be held in a free and fair manner”.
According to Momem, the Prime Minister welcomed the response of the Commonwealth Secretary General and expressed her desire for a free and fair election. Baroness Scotland also offered to provide training for Bangladesh election officers at the district level, as they have done in the past. During the meeting, the Prime Minister also mentioned her government’s efforts to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh by making the Election Commission an independent and powerful institution through the enactment of pragmatic laws. She also highlighted that her party was formed by the people, whereas other parties originated from the cantonment.
In addition to the election, the discussion also touched upon artificial intelligence, climate change, mental health, and digital connectivity. The Foreign Minister stated that the Prime Minister has conveyed her desire for Bangladesh to take the lead in artificial intelligence starting in June, as the country is currently dominating the Commonwealth’s business to business event. He further noted that the Commonwealth Secretary General agreed on these issues. The other delegates present at the briefing were the PM’s speechwriter, M Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh High Commissioner to London Saida Muna Tasneem, and others.
