“Number one, please participate. And secondly, let’s have a fair and transparent election because those are foundations for ensuring sustainable democracy for the long term,” said visiting UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State Lord Ahmad.
Lord Ahmad, also British Prime Minister’s special representative on preventing abuse in conflict, said they are, of course, “disappointed” that not everyone participated in the last election. He said they are “certainly impressing” on all concerned, all parties, and anyone seeking to participate in the elections because that provides the ‘pluralistic’ choice of healthy democracy.
“And in doing so it’s also important to ensure that elections are transparent, free and fair. I think, we’ll be impressing all concerned on those aspects to be carried forward,” he said while talking to.
The British Minister talked about ‘huge opportunity’ to celebrate the pluralistic nature of democracy in Bangladesh in 2021 when Bangladesh will celebrate the 50 years of independence.
Mentioning strong ties between the UK and Bangladesh, he said they are a strong advocate of having a democracy which is sustainable.
He said pluralist and healthy democracy will help Bangladesh make its all development initiatives sustainable for the long term.
The United Kingdom expressed the hope that Bangladesh’s next general election will be an inclusive one.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Lord Ahmad also expressed the hope that Bangladesh’s next general election will be an inclusive one.
While talking about the UK’s exit from the European Union, known as Brexit, he said it will not affect Bangladesh and its (Bangladesh) trade benefits will continue as well.
He urged the Prime Minister to take the leadership of girl education and women empowerment in the Commonwealth Summit to be held next year.
Praising Bangladesh’s stunning socioeconomic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the British state minister said, “Bangladesh has an incredible story to tell...and under your dynamic leadership, Bangladesh is going to be a middle- income country.”
About terrorism, he said the world will have to act together to contain terrorism and stop human trafficking. The British PM’s special representative praised the zero-tolerance policy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina against all kinds of violence and extremism.
He discussed the issue of counter terrorism and violent extremism during his meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam held at state guest house Padma.
The British minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her British counterpart Theresa May are likely to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit New York on September 17-22, a senior official said.