The United Kingdom (UK) wants free and fair elections in Bangladesh following political dialogue with the opposition parties, said Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Prime Minister Salman F Rahman.
After a meeting with visiting UK Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston, he told the reporters that he has informed the delegation that the prime minister and her government are committed to holding a free and fair national election.
The Election Commission is independent and they proved their capacity by holding several free, fair, local government elections successfully, he said.
He added that about the dialogue, I have said that we are always ready. But before that, they [oppositions] will need to commit to participating in the upcoming national election.
“The opposition party is saying that they will not participate in the election without a caretaker government in power. I have told the delegate that we cannot hold a dialogue on caretaker government as our Supreme Court has abolished the system and we have amended the constitution accordingly.”
If they agree to take part in the election after that the government can sit with them to discuss their demands to hold a free and fair election, the adviser said adding that he has talked about that with the UK delegation and they appreciated it.
"I have requested them to talk to the opposition party leaders and convince them to contest in the election,” he said.
The delegation also discussed Rohingya repatriation issues with the adviser along with trade issues between the two countries.
