Shawdesh Desk:

The US pre-election assessment delegation has made a five-point recommendation to ensure a credible, inclusive, and non-violent national election slated to be held in the first week of January next year.

The team comprising of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) made the recommendations in a statement following its visit to Bangladesh from October 8 to 11.

“We feel the primary problem is lack of constructive engagement among key political actors,” said NDI Co-Chair Karl F Inderfurth.

The delegation was tasked to provide an independent and impartial assessment of electoral preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming 12th parliamentary elections and make recommendations.

The recommendations include moderating rhetoric and engaging in open and substantive dialogue on key election issues, protecting freedom of expression and ensuring an open civic space where dissent is respected and committing to non-violence and holding perpetrators of political violence accountable.

It also recommended creating conditions to allow all parties to engage in meaningful political competition, including bolstering independent election management, and promoting a culture of inclusive and active electoral participation among citizens.

Karl Inderfurth said, “The best way to end the stalemate is through good faith dialogue, in the run-up to the January 2024 elections and beyond.”

During their visit, the delegation met with government officials, the Election Commission, leaders of different political parties, civil society representatives, current and former women members of parliament, representatives of organisations engaging with youth, persons with disabilities and religious minorities, media representatives, members of the legal community, and representatives of the international and diplomatic communities.

“We appreciate all those who shared their views freely about the challenges and opportunities that exist in Bangladesh for holding inclusive, participatory, and non-violent elections,” said IRI Co-Chair Bonnie Glick.

He said, “We came away from these conversations with concerns about the election environment, but hopeful that our recommendations can help to improve the process.”

The delegation recognised that it is the people of Bangladesh who would ultimately determine the credibility and legitimacy of their elections and their country’s democratic development.

The delegation therefore made this pre-election statement in the spirit of supporting and strengthening democratic institutions in Bangladesh.

Other members of the joint delegation included Maria Chin Abdullah, former member of the House of Representatives, Malaysia; Jamil Jaffer, former associate counsel to the president of the United States; Johanna Kao, IRI senior director, Asia-Pacific Division; and Manpreet Singh Anand, NDI regional director, Asia-Pacific.

The delegates were joined by technical and country experts from NDI and IRI.