The Bangladeshi government has vehemently dismissed the joint statement issued by six international civil society organizations calling for a new election in the country and the release of political prisoners. The foreign ministry released a statement on Saturday categorizing the call as “biased and unjustified,” asserting that the allegations of irregularities were “false and baseless.”
Describing the elections as free, fair, credible, and peaceful, the ministry emphasized that the preposterous demand for a fresh election contradicted the acclaim received from the international community for the government’s conduct of the polls. The 12th national parliament election was highlighted as taking place in a transparent and festive atmosphere, with extensive people’s participation.
While the voter turnout reached 70% in many rural areas, the national average was approximately 41.8%, attributed to lower turnout in urban zones. The foreign ministry commended the independent election commission for effectively conducting the polls, even amidst challenges posed by violence leading up to the election.
The statement refuted claims of arrests on political grounds, asserting that law enforcement agencies responded to incidents with restraint and proportionality. The ministry condemned the joint statement as misleading, one-sided, and unacceptable, hinting at ulterior motives aiming to support anti-democratic and anti-election forces.
The joint statement, issued by organizations including the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), expressed deep concern over the fairness and competitiveness of the 12th national polls in Bangladesh. It raised serious questions about whether the elections adhered to democratic values and international electoral standards.
