Bangladesh
Elections Fair Elections Need Unconditional Dialogue: US Ambassador Peter Haas
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 31 October 2023: US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter De Haas said that there is no place for political conflict in a democracy, unconditional political dialogue is needed for fair elections. He made this comment after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal at the election building of Agargaon in the capital on Tuesday.
Peter Haaser had a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner at 10:30 am. In the meeting, he emphasized on dialogue for free, fair, peaceful, acceptable and participatory elections.
"We want transparency and accountability in elections according to international standards," the US ambassador said.
"Free, fair and peaceful elections are the responsibility of political parties, government, voters, law enforcement, civil society, media and of course the Election Commission," he said.
Peter Haas added, "Any reaction that undermines the democratic electoral process, blocking the use of the Internet, violence calls into question the ability of free and fair elections. I hope that all parties will move forward unconditionally in dialogue and the path to free, fair and peaceful elections."
The countdown to the 12th National Assembly election starts tomorrow, Wednesday. When the Election Commission is making final preparations to announce the schedule, the Chief Election Commissioner's sudden meeting with US Ambassador Peter Hass.
Although the meeting was scheduled at 10:30 am, Peter Haas entered the EC before 10 am. The meeting started in Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal's room. Besides CEC, Election Commissioner Ahsan Habib Khan and Commission Secretary also participated in the meeting. After the meeting of about one and a half hours, the US ambassador spoke to the media first.
