Sheikh Shahariar Zaman
UK Minister for International Development Alan Dancun said time is running out to creating enabling environment to hold free, fair and credible elections and Bangladesh would be under the lens of the whole world.
“Bangladesh needs free, fair and respected elections. The time limit is obviously approaching by which time the election needs to be held,” he said at a press briefing Wednesday.
“It is essential they (elections) are conducted without violence and I say this very, very firmly that the world will be watching.”
The minister came to Dhaka on Monday and met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia and foreign minister Dipu Moni.
The minister also urged all parties to restrain from violence or excessive use of force and called on them to recognise the social and economic impact of strikes and other forms of disruption, which is damaging to individuals, business and the country as a whole.
“There are of course a few uncertainties that how to rules will be applied. But I do hope there would be sufficient agreement between the parties to agree on the rules of the game so that the election can be conducted.”
This is Duncan’s third visit to Bangladesh, having previously visited in July 2010 and June 2011.