United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday (November 18) said a record number of young people would cast their first ballots in the upcoming national election, as they had been unable to vote in the three rigged general elections held under the previous autocratic regime. He said the Awami League would not be able to participate in the election because its activities have been banned and its registration has been suspended by the Election Commission. “It is a historic moment for all of us. The young people who filled the walls of Dhaka and other cities with graffiti and drawings during the uprising will now come to vote,” the Chief Adviser said when Dutch Vice-Minister for International Cooperation Pascalle Grotenhuis called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna. They discussed Bangladesh’s democratic transition. The Chief Adviser reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding a ‘free, fair, credible and festive’ election in the first half of February. During the meeting, they discussed expanding cooperation in a range of areas, including agriculture, trade and investment, technology, youth development, and the potential of a social business fund for young and women entrepreneurs. Bangladesh Election: EC to launch mobile app for postal balloting Tuesday The visiting Dutch Vice Minister praised Bangladesh’s election preparations, noting that the interim government had only a few months to get ready for the vote. Pascalle Grotenhuis also commended Bangladesh’s newly enacted labour laws, saying they would help attract more Dutch and European investment. The sweeping reforms, approved by the cabinet earlier this month, were signed into law by the President on Monday. She said the Netherlands plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Public-Private Partnership with Bangladesh’s investment authorities, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. She expressed hope that the MoU would be signed soon, paving the way for increased Dutch investment in Bangladesh. It’s an election to save country, work with honesty, Prof Yunus asks DCs “For 50 years, Bangladesh and the Netherlands were development partners. Now we want to transform this into an equitable partnership in politics, trade, and investment,” she said. The minister added that Dutch companies that have long purchased goods from Dhaka are now looking to invest and become working partners in Bangladesh.

A six-member delegation from the United States-based Carter Center held a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed Bangladesh’s current political situation and the upcoming national election. The hour-long meeting, which began around 10:30 am, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Jonathan Stonestreet, Senior Associate Director of the Democracy Program at the Carter Center, led the six-member delegation during the meeting. BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Mohammad Ismail Zabiullah, Organising Secretary BNP Shama Obaed and BNP Chairperson’s Private Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar were also present at the meeting.  After the meeting, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan briefed reporters about the outcome of the discussions. He said two main topics—the overall political situation in Bangladesh and the process of democratic transition, with a particular focus on the upcoming election— were mainly discussed at the meeting. Fakhrul doubts quick restoration of democracy amid ‘complicated’ situation The BNP leader said the Carter Center may observe the upcoming election and thier discussions focused on how it can be possible along with a possible timeline for the process. In response to a question, Dr Moyeen recalled that a caretaker government was established following the fall of the Ershad regime in 1990. He mentioned that that government successfully conducted a free, fair and neutral election within a 90-day period, which has not faced any significant criticism to this day. “It is illogical to claim that an indefinite period is necessary to hold a fair and impartial election. It can certainly be done within 90 days. Nine months have already passed, so naturally, people will talk about it. Even if the BNP does not raise this issue, the people will not remain silent,” Dr Moyeen said. He said their meeting also covered discussions on when the election can be held and what BNP’s expectations are in this regard. “We have clearly said if the election is held by the end of this year, or in December, it will be acceptable to the people,” the BNP leader said. Disillusioned Awami League members welcome to join BNP: Rizvi Dr Moyeen, a former minister, warned that the country’s situation could become unstable if there is an unnecessary delay in holding the election. “The political, social, economic and the law and order situation in Bangladesh is no better than the situation that existed nine months ago,” the BNP leader said.  To maintain stability, he said, it is crucial to have a government that truly represents the people  through a fair and impartial election.  ‘‘If the stability of the country is disrupted for any reason, it will not be pleasant for 18 crore people…The sooner the election is held, the better we believe it will be for Bangladesh... that is what we have told them,” Dr Moyeen said. He said the country was freed from fascism for the restoration of democracy through a mass upheaval and struggle.  BNP’s Farroque urges Dr Yunus to hold elections, cites 75% public support “We want to move beyond the current interim situation and return to a democratic process through a free and fair election for the overall welfare of the people,” the BNP leader said. Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the Carter Center works to promote human rights and alleviate human suffering globally.  As part of the delegation's ongoing talks with various political parties regarding the upcoming elections, it held a meeting with the BNP.