British envoy meets Fakhrul, discusses election issues

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook on Tuesday met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed various issues related to the upcoming national election.

The around hour-long meeting, which began at about 3pm, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, Organising Secretary Shama Obaed and Central Committee member Tabith Awal were also present.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Amir Khosru said the discussions focused on preparations for the next national election and matters of bilateral interest with the British High Commissioner.

“The talks focused on BNP’s election preparations, the Election Commission’s activities, readiness and ensuring a free, fair and acceptable election,” he said.

The BNP leader also said the discussions also covered the current situation in the context of holding a credible and acceptable election.

Referring to past experiences where free and fair elections were not held over the last 16 years, Khosru said the role of an interim or caretaker government was discussed in detail.

He said they stressed that an interim government should function in a neutral caretaker role to ensure a fair and impartial election process.

“In the context of repeated power grabs by Sheikh Hasina due to the absence of a credible and neutral election process in Bangladesh over the past 16 years, the issue of a caretaker government has long been a major topic,” he said.

The BNP leader noted that political parties have unitedly demanded a caretaker system as credible elections in Bangladesh cannot be held without it.

He said the caretaker government concept is also necessary to ensure that the Election Commission can function effectively, as everything during the election must remain under its authority.

Khosru also said the meeting touched upon the long-standing and deep relationship between Bangladesh and the UK, and discussed ways to strengthen it in future, including culture, trade, investment and the welfare of Bangladeshis working in the UK.

He said they also discussed the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

“He will return to the country shortly… We have said that he himself will decide the right time for his return," he added.