US wants people to choose their leaders in elections in Bangladesh

United States ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas. — File photo.

United States ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday said that the US just wanted an election in Bangladesh where people could choose their leaders.

‘The US doesn’t care who wins the election and just wants an election where the people of Bangladesh can choose their leaders,’ the US envoy told reporters after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners at the Nirbahchan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.

Peter Haas said that they spoke about the tremendous importance of the Election Commission in ensuring free and fair elections in Bangladesh.

In the meeting, he remarked that the Election Commission was extremely important for the entire election and electoral process in Bangladesh in order to hold free and fair elections consistent with international standards.

It requires the protestations not only from the EC but also from the government, political parties, media, NGOs and the most importantly Bangladeshi people, said the US diplomat.

Later, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said that the USA, first of all, had no message about the election in Bangladesh.

‘It was a courtesy call. He welcomed me as the new CEC, wished me success in all cases.  He said it was a courtesy call on him and his government to cooperate if needed,’ the CEC said.

Responding a question, the CEC said that they did not actually discuss much about the upcoming elections.

‘I said, our election is not as smooth as that in America. There is a little turbulence.  We are ready.  We hope to get cooperation from all the stakeholders and the election will be successful,’ he said and added that the EC would try to make the election fair.

‘The election will be much more transparent than before. If possible, I will provide CCTV cameras at the polling stations to make surveillance easier,’ Awal said and added that he hoped that the government would also help the commission.

The CEC said that no challenge regarding election was discussed in the meeting.

Maybe there will be consensus between the parties, the parties will understand the reality, he said.

‘I have spoken about participatory elections. He [Haas] wants free, fair and participatory elections,’ the CEC said the he informed the diplomat that the commission would sit with the parties.

He hoped that a way would be found for a participatory election.