Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the government is taking all kinds of preparations to hold the country's next general election in a free and fair manner.
"The next election will be held in a free and fair manner, and we are taking all kinds of preparations," she said while outgoing Switzerland Ambassador Nathalie Chuard called on her at her Sangsad Bhaban office in Dhaka.
Prime Minister's speech-writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed the reporters after the meeting.
The prime minister said after enacting the Election Commission Law, the government has formed the neutral Election Commission through a search committee.
"The foreign observers will come to oversee the election and they will do their job freely."
She said the Election Commission of the country is totally independent and the government has no control over it and its budget.
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, said Awami League is the major political party of Bangladesh, which has its base up to the grassroots level. "This political party [Awami League] took birth from the mass people."
The prime minister said BNP and Jatiya Party took birth from the cantonment. Chives of these two parties first became president by illegally grabbing the state power, later they formed their political parties, she added.
"They do not have any base among the mass people."
Regarding Jamaat-e-Islami, she said that they were involved in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of the country in 1971. "They also do not have any base among the mass people."
She said if the people vote for the Awami League in the next election, it will form the government.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has upgraded the country massively in the last 14 years.
"It was possible as the people cast their votes in the 2008 election for Awami League and its alliance at two-thirds majority," she said.
The prime minister said Awami League always believes in the power of people and works for the flourishing of democracy.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, she said the issue of over one million Myanmar nationals is a burden for Bangladesh. She urged all western countries to extend their support to ensure their return to their homeland Myanmar.
She also said the negative impact occurred on the economy of the whole world due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
She said these two elements — Covid and Ukraine-Russia war — forced the developing countries, including Bangladesh into hardship. "We are trying to offset this impact."
She questioned who are gaining from this war, only the arms sellers are making a profit. "The world should stop this war at once."
The prime minister also apprised the envoy of women's empowerment in the country.
Switzerland Ambassador Nathalie Chuard said Bangladesh is graduating to a developing country from the least developed one and her country will continue to support Bangladesh in the smooth transition. "I will always remain as the well-wisher of Bangladesh."
The envoy said she visited every corner of the country and was impressed to witness the remarkable and impressive development of the country.
Nathalie said Bangladesh has to face some challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and climate change. "I am hoping that Bangladesh will be able to advance further facing all these challenges."
She appreciated the quality of democracy, its stability and good relations with neighbouring countries.
The ambassador also highly appreciated the women empowerment progress of the country.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, she thinks that they should go back to their homeland quickly.
Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present.
