UK envoy stresses the importance of fair polls, free media

British High Commissioner  to Bangladesh Alison Blake on Tuesday said they would not interfere in the internal political affairs of Bangladesh. "You won't find me speculating about the politics or election outcomes," she said while addressing a discussion event at the National Press Club in the afternoon. The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) organized the program as part of its flagship event 'DCABtalk'. The high commissioner said they believe strongly in inclusive and participatory free and fair elections. "When our foreign secretary Boris Johnson, MP, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali during his visit to Bangladesh in February, he stressed the importance of free and fair elections, a free media and affording political space to the opposition," she said. Blake further said:  "But as one commonwealth partner to another, the UK, together with our international partners--The Commonwealth, EU and others-- will continue to encourage a peaceful way forward, and encourage dialogue between all the political parties in Bangladesh." DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Mahfuz Mishu also spoke on the occasion.