UK envoy: Bangladesh has ample capacity for free-fair polls

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson has said the next national election in Bangladesh is going to be a "very important moment" for all which will help the country build better and productive relationships with its friends globally. 

The envoy said this at a program hosted by Dhaka Reporters' Unity in the capital on Sunday. 

The envoy expressed his hope for a "fair and credible" process for the elections due at the end of 2023. 

"There's ample capacity in Bangladesh to run a free and fair election," he said, reiterating that the election needs to be "Bangladesh-led" and it is not for Bangladesh's friends to say how this process should run. 

The high commissioner said the United Kingdom (UK) and their international partners support the multiparty and transparent democracy in Bangladesh provided in the constitution. 

Highlighting the importance of a credible Election Commission, he said it will be easier for everybody to have a "productive friendship" with Bangladesh if the election is carried out in a way which is "free, fair and credible." 

Dickson said there will be a better relationship between Bangladesh and its friends after a credible election.  

Globally, he said, long term stability and economic growth flourish best in open and democratic societies with strong institutions, public accountability and competitive elections. 

The envoy appreciated the milestones such as the Election Commission formation process and laid emphasis on strong commitments from all parties on a "free and fair" process. 

He said they are supporting the Covid-19 pandemic response in Bangladesh and provided 4.1 million vaccines under Covax in December last year. "We hope to provide more soon." 

He said they have been supporting the Bangladesh ministry of health to develop a well-coordinated national response plan, resourced by all the development partners and the government of Bangladesh. 

Dickson also talked about Bangladesh-UK flourishing defence relations, human rights issues, trade and investment and climate partnership and media freedom. 

"We'll continue to exchange expertise, share technology, facilitate partnerships, and identify practical solutions to common climate challenges, with the shared aim of producing the real change we need to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5 degrees," he said. 

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the UK, following Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic press conference at Claridges' Hotel, his meeting with PM Edward Heath,

In the intervening half century the relationship has been transformed, said the British envoy.