The environment for fair and participatory elections is not evident in the country
Press Release: A delegation from the Jatiyo Party met with Ms. Baiba Zarina, Deputy Head of Delegation and Head of the Political, Economic, Trade, Press, and Information Section of the European Union, to discuss various issues, including the current political context of the country, the upcoming National Parliament elections, and the restoration of the caretaker government system. The delegation was led by the party’s chairman, former Foreign Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud.
The meeting was held at the European Union office in Gulshan-2, Dhaka, on Wednesday morning, beginning at 10:30 AM and concluding at 12:20 PM.
Jatiya Party Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud was accompanied by the party`s Secretary General, former Minister ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader; Executive Chairman and former Minister Mujibul Haque Chunnu; and the Jatiya Party Chairman`s Special Envoy for International Affairs and Presidium Member Masroor Mawla. The European Union`s First Secretary (Political), Mr. Sebastian Rieger-Brown, was also present.
During the meeting, Jatiya Party Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud expressed to the European Union delegation that, while the government speaks of free, fair, impartial, and participatory elections, a level playing field is still not apparent in the country. He noted that the administration is divided along the lines of two major political parties. Following the events of August 5, numerous false and harassing cases have been filed against several Jatiya Party leaders and activists, which have yet to be withdrawn. Additionally, many leaders are currently banned from traveling abroad.
"The Jatiya Party will not participate in the elections unless these false cases are withdrawn and the travel bans are lifted before the elections," he stated.
The European Union representatives sought the Jatiya Party`s opinion on the reinstatement of the caretaker government system. In this context, Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader remarked, "We welcome the reinstatement of the caretaker government system in accordance with the Supreme Court`s verdict. However, the next national elections will not occur under the caretaker government; it will be applicable in the 14th national elections. Consequently, we harbor significant doubts about whether the upcoming elections under the current government will be free, fair, impartial, and participatory."
Howlader further noted, "Numerous leaders, including our former MP Golam Kibria Tupu, have been imprisoned based on false cases. Although the government has promised to withdraw these cases, no action has been taken yet, especially with only two and a half months remaining until the elections. We are unable to commence campaigning, while government-backed parties engage in campaigning without obstruction. In this context, there is considerable skepticism about the possibility of a fair election."
After the meeting, Masroor Mawla, Jatiya Party Chairman`s Special Envoy for International Affairs and Presidium Member, briefed the media about the overall situation of the meeting. "The meeting with the European Union delegation took place in a very cordial atmosphere for approximately two hours. The head of the delegation inquired whether the Jatiya Party would participate in the elections. In response, our party chairman, Anisul Islam Mahmud, stated, `The Jatiya Party is an election-oriented party; we are always ready for elections. However, there is currently no conducive environment for elections in the country. `Mob culture` prevails, and the law and order situation is not normal. The false cases filed against senior leaders in July and August remain unaddressed. Unwarranted travel bans have also been imposed on foreign travel.`"
Mawla emphasized, "The Jatiya Party has no possibility of participating in the elections unless the false cases are withdrawn and the travel bans are lifted. Even individuals with no cases against them have been restricted from traveling abroad, which constitutes a violation of basic human rights. Additionally, the Election Commission did not invite us to the dialogue held with political parties, raising further doubts about whether the government or the Election Commission genuinely wishes for Jatiya Party participation in the elections."