A delegation of three observers from Russia is in Bangladesh to monitor the 12th Parliamentary Election held on January 7, 2024. While Bangladesh’s main Opposition Party BNP boycotted the polls, the country ended the voting amidst a largely peaceful environment. After voting ended, Organiser Special Correspondent Nishant Kumar Azad spoke to Andrei Shutov, the head of the delegation and member of the Russian Central Election Commission. Excerpts:
Today you observed Bangladesh’ 12th Parliamentary Elections. Will you please give us your first comment of this election that has drawn huge international attention?
We have visited several polling stations in different areas of Dhaka and we can say that elections took place in a calm and stable atmosphere. We could see that for many citizens, elections were perceived as if in a festive mood. We would also like to underline that law and order were assured by uniformed personnel.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had promised free and fair election. In your opinion, was this election free and fair?
Yes it was. We did not observe any obstacles that could impede the ballot-casting process.
Yesterday, you quoted the Chief Election Commissioner saying, “Several Western nations, including the US, are trying to influence the course and results of the general elections in Bangladesh.” In your opinion, what might be the reason behind this comment?
I would like to refer you to the statement made by the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ms. Zakharova who said that there are serious grounds to fear that a wider arsenal of tools for pressure, including sanctions, may be used against those unfavourable to the West Bangladeshi Government. Key industries may come under attack, as well as a number of officials who, without evidence, may be accused of obstructing the democratic expression of the citizens’ will in the parliamentary elections on January 7, 2024. In case the USA is not satisfied with the results of the people’s vote, attempts to further destabilise the situation in Bangladesh along the lines of the Arab Spring are likely.
While Western nations attempted to capitalise on the election in destabilising Bangladesh and since BNP and other opposition forces failed to obstruct it, do you think, following January 7, Bangladesh’s democracy is saved and the country would move towards progress, prosperity and peace under the next government?
We consider the General Elections held in Bangladesh as a landmark achievement in advancing Bangladeshi society along the path of democracy and stable socio-political development. We will continue the course of progressive strengthening of multidisciplinary Russian-Bangladeshi relations (including electoral systems) in the interests of the peoples of our countries.
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