UN to assist Bangladesh election, hopes all parties will participate

The United Nations will provide technical assistance to Bangladesh’s Election Commission for the upcoming parliamentary elections, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka, Gwen Lewis, said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Lewis emphasized the importance of the election and expressed hope that all political parties would participate. Earlier, he held discussions with BNP leaders on elections, democracy, and other national issues.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the meeting focused on restoring democratic order in Bangladesh. “Given the current context, everyone must work together to bring back democracy. The public’s biggest demand is to hold elections as soon as possible. We discussed how the elections planned for the first half of February can be successfully conducted,” he added.

The discussions also addressed the repatriation of the Rohingya and their ongoing humanitarian crisis. Lewis and the BNP leaders reviewed how the Bangladesh government and international partners could work together to support the Rohingya until repatriation is possible.

Chowdhury further praised Gwen Lewis for his role in supporting democracy and human rights in Bangladesh, particularly during challenging times. “He has courageously worked to ensure democratic, political, constitutional, and human rights in accordance with the UN Charter,” he said.

Also present at the meeting were Humayun Kabir, international affairs advisor to BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and Shama Obaid, organizational secretary and special foreign policy advisor to the chairperson.