Jatiya Party chairman Ghulam Muhammad Quader on Tuesday said that the new US visa policy for Bangladesh will be helpful in holding the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner. "The United States expects free, fair and neutral elections in Bangladesh. What is said in the visa policy, all goes in favour Bangladesh and its people", Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament told reporters at the circuit house in the town before attending the bi-annual conference of Sherpur district unit of the party. Also Read: Fair election not possible in current system: GM Quader "We can’t expect a free, fair and impartial election under the current government. This needs to be changed. But we need consensus on the kind of change through discussion with all parties. So we (Jatiya Party) support the US visa policy," he added. GM Quader said everyone wants free and fair elections. "We haven't received any proposal regarding the election-time government from anywhere yet. However, we are working for the welfare of the people of the country. How we will participate in the next election will be discussed later and decided," he added. Also Read: People have no confidence in country’s electoral system: GM Quader    Central leaders, including Jatiya Party Co-Chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Howladar, Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Member of Parliament Kazi Firoz Rashid, Presidium Member Mostafa Al Mahmud, were also present. Later, GM Quader and Jatiya Party leaders addressed the bi-annual conference of the district Jatiya Party at Shaheed Minar premises in the Chawkbazar center of the town. Also Read: Assault on on-duty journalists an unpardonable crime: GM Quader  

US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter has said Washington is working "very closely" with Bangladeshi civil society actors to deliver free and fair elections in the country. "Our USAID mission is working very closely," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after her meeting with Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam. Read more: Bangladesh ambassador presents credentials to Chilean president The US official said they discussed maritime security and how they can cooperate with Bangladesh and other forms of maritime cooperation in the region during the meeting. She said they also discussed a range of bilateral issues, including  US support for "free and fair" elections in Bangladesh.  "Very exciting to be here to talk about a whole range of issues," said Akhter, who is Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) for Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, as well the Office of Security and Transnational Affairs. Read more: Bangladesh Ambassador to US Imran calls for working unitedly under PM Hasina's leadership She most recently served as a Senior Adviser to SCA Assistant Secretary Don Lu. Previously, Akhter was the National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser to U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen.US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas was also present. 

Although new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has promised to work for ensuring fair and beautiful elections, BNP on Tuesday said there is no guarantee that his words will be translated into actions. “The previous Commission also delivered sweet talks initially like the current one. Then he (KM Nurul Huda) shamelessly implemented every programme and agenda of the government and snatched people’s votes at night,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Talking to reporters at BNP founder Zaiur Rahman’s grave, he also accused the Nurul Huad-led Election Commission (EC) of holding unilateral polls. Read: BNP slams Dr Zafrullah for advising to accept EC “So, there’s no guarantee of his (new CEC’s) words. His activities in the past suggest that he was rewarded by this government,” the BNP leader observed. He also said people do not believe the current CEC who got so many rewards from the government will be able to hold a free and fair election as the Prime Minister is there on his head. ” Earlier in the day, Rizvi together with the members of the newly formed committee of the Dhaka city unit of Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) paid homage to Zia by placing wreaths at his grave. Kazi Habibul Awal who took over on Monday sought cooperation from all political parties in holding a fair and credible election. He also said a consensus among political parties is needed for holding free and fair elections. "I’ll humbly request all to join elections to restore the democratic process. We'll try to give the nation a beautiful election.” On Saturday, President Abdul Hamid appointed retired senior secretory Awal as the CEC and made four others- former district and sessions judge Rashida Sultana, Brig Gen (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan, former EC secretary Md Alamgir, and former energy and mineral resources division senior secretary Anisur Rahman -- election commissioners. As his attention was drawn to the new CEC’s eagerness to invite BNP to a tea party, Rizvi said their party joined the tea party of previous CEC KM Nurul Huda where he promised to not use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the polls. “But he used EVMs in the elections at the behest of the Prime Minister and held the day’s voting at night, he alleged. Read: New CEC a staunch Awami Leaguer, claims BNP The BNP leader also alleged that the government constituted the new EC with persons who hold the spirit of Awami League. "This Election Commission and search committee are nothing but a farce. They served under the Prime Minister who also promoted them in the past. So, their past activities don’t support that they would go beyond the PM,” he observed. Rizvi said a non-partisan government is the only guarantee of a free and fair election.

Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have agreed on the importance of "free and fair elections" and vibrant civil society to promote accountable governance and institutions ensuring freedom of expression and religion. The UK raised concerns reflected in the FCDO Annual Human Rights Report, including the “impact” of the Digital Security Act, political space, and extrajudicial killings, said the British High Commission in Dhaka on Friday. The two countries held their fourth annual Strategic Dialogue on Thursday at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London and discussed the issues. The dialogue was led by FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Philip Barton and Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, FCDO Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, welcomed Ambassador Momen to the UK. Lord Ahmad said they spoke about the strong links between the UK and Bangladesh. "We’re both committed to tackling climate change and looking for future opportunities to strengthen trade between our countries," he said. The UK commended Bangladesh for hosting the Rohingyas who, in August 2017, fled atrocities by the Myanmar military. The UK and Bangladesh reiterated their commitment to the goal of enabling the Rohingya to return home in a safe, voluntary and dignified way as soon as the situation allows.  The UK stressed the need to focus on the Rohingyas’ wellbeing, and noted that access to education and livelihoods would help prepare the Rohingya for eventual return to Myanmar and to live dignified lives while in Bangladesh. Both countries committed to working with the international community, including Asean and the UN, to resolve the crisis. The two countries expressed their deepest condolences to those who had lost loved ones during the pandemic. The UK congratulated Bangladesh on its nationwide vaccination campaign including through COVAX vaccines.   Read: Indo-Pacific: UK sees Bangladesh as "critical stability provider"