Bangladesh looks for free, fair and participatory general election in 2024

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While Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government wants participation of all the political parties in the upcoming general election, which is believed to be held on January 8, 2024. Following her official India visit, Sheikh Hasina during a press conference said: “We want all the political parties to take part in the next general election. If any party decides not to participate in the polls, it’s their matter. For that reason, we can’t stop the operation of our constitution. As part of the constitution, the election will be held to continue the democratic process”.

Briefly describing the Awami League government’s measures to ensure overall socio-economic development of the country which helped transform Bangladesh into a developing nation from a least developed one, Sheikh Hasina said, she believed that the people of the country would vote for her party again.

“I believe the people of the country will vote for the Awami League in the next general election if they want to see the continuation of the country’s development. If otherwise, there is nothing to do”, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has developed Bangladesh in all the areas, including economy, trade and commerce and employment generation.

The Prime Minister said they transformed Bangladesh into a developing nation and a self-reliant country in food production.

She said her government is now giving home to the homeless free of cost as her government’s top priority is to give all, particularly the grassroots people, a worthy life and bring them to the mainstream to expedite the country’s advancements.

The premier said her government has reduced the poverty rate to 20 percent from 40 percent, increased the GDP rate to over 8 percent with timely initiatives, adding that the efforts are being hampered due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter sanctions.

If the war and sanctions and counter sanctions are not stopped, the world would face dire consequences, including famine, she said, reiterating her call to the countrymen to grow their own food as part of the preparation to ward off the imminent crisis.

Mentioning that India is always sincere regarding Bangladesh issues, she said that during the War of Liberation in 1971 all political parties of that country became united in favor of Bangladesh.

She, however, said that when the two countries are close neighbors, it’s realistic that there may be some differences over many issues but all of those would be possible to solve through discussions. “I always think all the issues can be resolved through discussions”, she added.

Referring to the rail connectivity which was stopped during the India-Pakistan war in 1965, Sheikh Hasina said rail communication in those routes are being reinstated one after another to bring dynamism in the economic activities of the people in those areas.

“If you become a good friend, then all will be alright,” she said, mentioning the foreign policy of Bangladesh – “Friendship to all, malice to none”.

Sheikh Hasina takes tougher stance against money-laundering

Answering another question related to money laundering through mobile financial services, the head of government said that as the issues were taken under surveillance, people would be able to know it.

She said that there are some issues of money laundering (personal involvement) which she doubts whether the media will publish or not, adding that an investigation is going on about the money laundering.

“I will see whether you (media) will write it”, she said.

Sheikh Hasina also said that they have sought a list of money launderers to the Swiss banks, but they did not send any information.

She said they are taking sufficient measures to stop the money laundering.

About Rohingya issue, she said she sought cooperation from India over the matter and India itself wants to see the issue to be resolved as the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals are becoming a huge burden for Bangladesh and posing a great threat to its security and environment.

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