The ruling Awami League leadership has said it is determined to hold inclusive elections in accordance with the constitution. The assurance was given at a meeting with diplomats of the European Union (EU) on Thursday.
Representatives from seven European Union countries and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah, Information Secretary Salim Mahmud, Office Secretary Biplab Barua, and Central Committee Member Mohammad A Arafat were present at the meeting.
The EU diplomats met the Awami League leaders as part of the EU's engagement with political parties ahead of the parliamentary election.
Awami League leaders who were present at the meeting revealed this information to Dhaka Tribune and said trade, commerce, climate change, security, and election issues were discussed in the closed-door meeting.
Representatives of the EU have said they want a peaceful and inclusive election and that the Awami League leaders had assured them that they will assist the Election Commission towards that end.
Regarding the BNP, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that the AL wants the BNP to participate in the polls, but the BNP does not agree with the ruling party.
He said that the BNP did not attend the dialogue called by the president and the Election Commission as well.
Awami League leaders said there was no way to reinstall the caretaker or interim government during the polls. Rather, they want to establish a permanent voting system, as European countries do during their national elections.
The Swedish ambassador present at the meeting said that they are not interested in election results but they are interested in the election process.
In reply, the Awami League leaders said they would create an environment so that the political parties can participate in the poll in a competitive manner, but they are unsure whether BNP will take part.
Referring to the elections of 2014 and 2018, the Awami League leaders wanted to know what the BNP did in those elections. The BNP did not take the polls seriously and boycotted them at the last moment to make the process questionable.
The Awami League leaders also said that before the 2014 national election, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had expressed her desire to give two important ministries to the BNP, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, but the party declined to accept the proposal.
In response to an EU diplomat raising the issue of BNP leaders being charged with criminal offences, the Awami League team displayed documents and said BNP leaders are named in the cases for their criminal offences. They noted that to uphold the law and order these cases must be followed through.
The EU diplomats said they want stability in Bangladesh; otherwise security threats in this region may arise. They also said they want to work together with the Bangladesh government to combat the militant and security threats.
When the ambassadors present at the meeting said the EU countries wish to send observers for the elections, the Awami League leaders said they can send observers in line with the existing laws of Bangladesh.
After the meeting, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told the media that both the EU and his party want an inclusive election that will be free and fair.
“The BNP goes to embassies covertly, without informing anyone, but the Awami League has come after being invited,” added Quader, as this meeting was a scheduled meeting between the Awami League and EU diplomats.
