Six influential Democrat and Republican members of the US House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the US Congress, have written to both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia, calling for free, fair and credible polls. “A bipartisan letter was sent to both Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, urging a free, fair, and credible election process,” says a press release on Friday posted on the website of US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Democrats.
In an identical letter to both the leaders, the US Congressmen strongly emphasise on immediate direct negotiations between the Awami League and BNP ‘to ensure that the upcoming elections are free, fair and viewed as credible by the Bangladeshi people.’
“We do not see how credible elections can take place unless the parties move quickly to engage in direct negotiations and all sides agree to move ahead,”says the letter, signed by three Democrats and three Republicans.
“Furthermore, we don’t believe election related violence is acceptable or a legitimate part of the democratic process. We urge you to do everything within your power to prevent any and all forms of violence,” it says.
“We are concerned that continued political deadlock and related violence, including violence aimed at Hindus and other minorities, will have a negative impact on the real progress that is being made by Bangladesh,” states the letter.
The signatories of the letters are Eliot L. Engel (D), Edward R. Royce (R), Steve Chabot (R), Joseph Crowley (D), George Holding (R) and Grace Meng (D).
-With The Independent input
