DHAKA: The United States, expressing disappointment over the ongoing political turmoil, too decided not to send observers to Bangladesh to oversee the 10th parliamentary election slated for January 5.
The latest development came after such pointblank refusal by the Commonwealth and European Union to engage in observing the election, going to be held amid boycott by the BNP-led opposition.

"The United States will not deploy observers for these elections. We remain prepared to reengage our observation efforts at a later time in a more conducive environment," said Jen Psaki, spokesperson of the State Department in a statement published on December 22.

The United States believes Bangladesh has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to democracy by holding a free and fair election that is credible in the eyes of the Bangladeshi people, the statement said.

"The United States notes with disappointment, however, that the major political parties have not yet reached consensus on a way to achieve such elections, since more than half of the parliamentary seats are uncontested for the January 5 polls," it added.

The United States also asked the major parties to continue their dialogue and redouble their efforts to find a solution worthy of the people of Bangladesh.

The people of Bangladesh deserve the opportunity to elect their national representatives in a climate free of violence and intimidation.

"The nation’s political leadership – and those who aspire to lead – must ensure law and order and refrain from supporting violence, inflammatory rhetoric, and intimidation," it added.

The United States also believes all parties and Bangladeshi citizens have the right to freely and peacefully express their views.

The government is responsible to provide space for such activity; equally, the opposition is responsible to use such space in a peaceful manner.

On Sunday, the Commonwealth also decided not to send observers to Bangladesh to oversee the 10th parliamentary election slated for January 5 for what the grouping’s headquarters called want of a situation congenial to a conclusive and trustworthy election.
Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma in a letter sent to the Election Commission confirmed the matter of not sending poll observers.

In a letter, the Commonwealth decided not to send observers because of lack of congenial environment for a conclusive and trustworthy election.

Earlier on Friday, the European Union decided to not send observers to the January 5 parliamentary polls.

According to a statement issued by Catherine Ashton, spokesperson of EU High Representatives: “The High Representative regrets that the main political forces in Bangladesh have been unable to create the necessary conditions for transparent, inclusive and credible elections, despite many efforts, including most recently under UN auspices.”

The High Representative in the statement urged all sides to refrain from violence and encouraged leaders to respect rights to express democratic choices.

“The High Representative has decided to halt for now the preparations for the deployment of an Election Observation Mission.”

BDST: 1110 HRS, DEC 23, 2013
Golam Rosul, Newsroom Editor