Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said whether visiting Election Exploratory Mission from the European Union (EU) will tell BNP or any other political party to participate in the election is totally up to them, reports UNB.
Quader made this remark while talking to journalists after completing a courtesy call with Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, at the Secretariat on Monday morning.
Quader said the discussion with the EU ambassador was fruitful. "Elections will be free, fair and Sheikh Hasina's government will perform election-time duties. Elections in Bangladesh will be like those in any other democratic country in the world."
Quader said a six-member delegation of Election Exploratory Mission (ExM) from the European Union (EU) arrived in Bangladesh. They will discuss everything during their visit. The EU will observe the election and closely monitor it, he added.
“The government always welcomes election observers,” he said.
There is a lot of talk about the election, Quader said. That is why it is better to have observers during the elections. They will be able to see on the ground how the election is held, the minister said.
In reply to another question, Quader said no discussion was held over a caretaker government, the dissolution of the parliament, or the resignation of the PM. The EU wants elections to be held in a peaceful, participatory, and democratic manner, he said.
He also said there was no discussion over any issue involving the BNP.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
