Terming the country’s people democracy loving and pro-election, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said she does not believe anyone could think of boycotting the polls.
“I don’t think anyone is thinking of boycotting the next election,” she said when outgoing Danish Ambassador Svend Oiling paid a farewell call on her at her office. Observing that the people of Bangladesh are very much pro-election and enthusiastic about the next general election, Hasina said considering all these aspects she does not believe anyone will stand against the desire of people.
The Prime Minister reiterated the next general election will be held as per the norm practiced in parliamentary democracies of the world, and said the government is committed to holding the polls in a credible manner.
She also said all the elections held under the present government in the last four and half years were free and fair, and no question had been raised in this connection.
Hasina said her government, after returning to power following the 2008 elections, put emphasis on strengthening the Election Commission and mentioned that the President held dialogue will all stakeholders of the country before constituting the Commission.
During the meeting, Danish Ambassador Svend Oiling said Denmark is keen to invest more in Bangladesh in various sectors, including power and energy, Shipbuilding, infrastructure development, water transport, water supply and sanitation.
After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters.
The Danish envoy appreciated the farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina saying Bangladesh achieved a tremendous development over the years following the pragmatic steps of her government in various sectors. UNB
In this regard, Svend Olling mentioned the historic CHT Peace treaty signed with Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) in 1997 restoring peace in the hill tracts.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the economic cooperation and increasing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Denmark for the mutual benefits.
Later, the outgoing ambassador of Quarter Abdul Rahman Yousuf A Al-Mollah also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at her office.
During the meeting, various issues, including river dredging and development of power and health sector, in Bangladesh came up for discussion.
Ambassador at-large M ziauddin were, among others, present.
-With The Independent input
