Naoki expects free, fair polls in Bangladesh

Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki on Monday said they expect that the next national election in Bangladesh will be held in a "free and fair" manner with the participation of all major political parties.

"We expect the next election will be a better one. Free and fair elections need to be done here. That's my strong hope," he said while responding to a question at an event titled "Meet the Ambassador" held in a Dhaka hotel.

The ambassador said he knows that the Election Commission is working for a free and fair election and the government of Bangladesh is also telling that a free and fair election will be conducted. "It's very important."

The same time, the envoy said, this is something that the political parties should decide but the expectation is that the election will be a participatory one and the major political parties will participate in it.

Naoki said he heard about the example of "ballot box stuffing" and some police stuffed the ballot box the previous night which is something he did never hear in any other country.

He said "ballot box stuffing" should never be repeated.

Recalling 2018 election, Ambassador Naoki said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka had issued a statement of concern which was very unusual for his country though it was focused more on violence.

Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) hosted the event in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh.

Zillur Rahman, Executive Director of the Centre for Governance Studies moderated the programme.

Full-scale Rohingya repatriation unlikely

Ito Naoki said it is unlikely to see a full-scale Rohingya repatriation anytime soon due to the situation in Myanmar at this moment.

"It'll be very difficult to see repatriation of Rohingyas in full-scale soon. Unless you see the improvement of situation in Myanmar, it'll be very difficult for us to see their repatriation to Myanmar," he said.

They ambassador said Japan is communicating with the Myanmar military and Myanmar needs to halt violence, release detainees and restore the democracy there.

He, however, said they may be able to start pilot repatriation at this moment, not full-scale repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland.

Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and not a single Rohingya was repatriated over the last five years.

"More than five years have passed. The situation is very unfortunate. Repatriation is of course the priority," said the ambassador, adding that they are ready to work with the government of Bangladesh for repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Unfortunately, he said, the situation in Myanmar will not allow the early repatriation of the Rohingyas.

The envoy said this is a crucial challenge for the international community.

Japan has been cooperative to Bangladesh government and appreciates its efforts and generosity, he added.