The rise of social-religious elements like Hefazat-e-Islam is ‘exacerbating’ the situation in Bangladesh in the lead up to the general elections, observed the visiting United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Oscar Fernández-Taranco. “It will complicate the situation further ahead of the general elections,” he was quoted as saying by a senior Foreign Ministry official during Taranco’s meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni at her office on Sunday morning. The UN official also expressed his concern over the ongoing violence and emphasised dialogue between the parties to resolve the problems.
Replying to a question, the Foreign Ministry official said that the UN was not working on any ‘formula’ with regards to system of governance during the election period.
The official further said that Foreign Minister told Taranco that the government also wanted free, fair and inclusive elections.
“She told the UN official that government is ready to sit across the table with the opposition any time. Any such dialogue will reduce the violence. Therefore, the government wants the dialogue sooner rather than later.”
The Foreign Minister apprised Taranco of the type of government that would be in place as per the Constitution during the election period.
Expressing readiness of the government to welcome international poll observers, Dipu Moni said that the observers should not only be in the country during the elections, rather they should monitor the pre-poll and post-poll situations.
to meeting the Foreign Minister, Taranco had a meeting with Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque at his office.
According to a meeting source, Shahidul and Taranco had discussed as to what technical assistance the UN could provide in order to hold free, fair and credible elections.
-With The Independent input
