Foreign Minister welcomes US-based IRI in Bangladesh to observe election

[Homo Sapiens]

Foreign Minister welcomes US-based IRI in Bangladesh to observe election​

Foreign Minister welcomes US-based IRI in Bangladesh to observe election

The IRI encourages democracy in places where it is absent, helps democracy become more effective where it is in danger

en.prothomalo.com

Diplomatic Correspondent
Dhaka
Updated: 14 Apr 2023, 10: 13

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen addresses a meeting of the IRI in the United States as the chief guest on 13 April, 2023.PID

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen has welcomed the members of the United States’ International Republican Institute (IRI) to observe the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh.

Seheli Sabrin, spokesperson of foreign ministry, made the disclosure in a weekly press briefing at the ministry on Thursday.
The IRI is a non-profitable organisation that works to strengthen civil society, political parties, marginalized communities, and other key areas essential to democratic governance.

It encourages democracy in places where it is absent, helps democracy become more effective where it is in danger and shares best practices where democracy is flourishing.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday held a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart Antony Blinken during his visit to the United States.

Seheli Sabrin said the foreign minister addressed a meeting of the IRI in the United States as the chief guest. He shed light on the political scenario of Bangladesh, the electoral process and preparations for a free, fair and inclusive election.

Seheli Sabrin, spokesperson of foreign ministry, addresses a weekly press briefing at the ministry on 13 April 2023


The IRI officials expressed their interest in observing the elections in Bangladesh and the foreign minister welcomed it.

Minister Momen also spoke at an event of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center at the George Washington University. He discussed economic partnership and prospects with the US, economic diplomacy, regional development and relations with the global powers.

Won’t affect Dhaka-Washington ties​

The remarks by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy will have no impact on the bilateral relations between Dhaka and Washington, said Seheli Sabrin.

“I don’t think so ... because we held a very good meeting and discussed all issues that we had in our agenda,” she said in response to a question of a newsperson in this regard.

Just two days before the Monday’s foreign minister-level meeting between Bangladesh and the US, prime minister’s ICT affairs adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy criticised the expulsion of two African-American lawmakers of Tennessee, sparing another one, over their gun control protests, questioning the fairness of democracy in the United States.

“The US State legislature voted to expel two minority lawmakers, while keeping a third who was white. This is the state of democracy in the US. The US State Department is nothing but a bunch of hypocrites,” Joy said in a Facebook post.

 

[Bilal9]

I know its Ramadan time and talk of bribery is rather frowned upon.

But who wants to bet with me that Alga and his team will wine/dine and let's be honest, try to bribe these hapless pen-pushers from IRI sent to Dhaka?

I say its a definite possibility....

 

[bluesky]

No IRI-style work is plausible in Bangladesh. I am not sure how this US/based IRI wants to monitor the elections in thousands of polling stations.

If America wants to bring back fair elections, there must be CTG or there shall be an UN-sponsored body to organize and monitor the election.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

No IRI will work in Bangladesh. I am not sure how this US/based IRI wants to monitor the elections in thousands of polling stations.

If America wants to bring back fair elections, there must be CTG or there shall be an UN-sponsored body to organize and monitor the election.

These observers will be useful to monitor irregularities and violence in election and duly report to their govt. that election was not free and fair. They obviously do not have any enforcement capability. It will still create problem for BAL to do vote theft at night like they did in earlier election fearful this time that sanctions will come from US, EU if no proper election is held this time.

 

[bluesky]

These observers will be useful to monitor irregularities and violence in election and duly report to their govt. that election was not free and fair. They obviously do not have any enforcement capability. It will still create problem for BAL to do vote theft at night like they did in earlier election fearful this time that sanctions will come from US, EU if no proper election is held this time.

The observers will monitor many things, but the political parties have a lot of tricks in their sleeves.

For example, 500 BAL cronies stand in line in a polling station since early morning. They go very slow and takes almost five hours to vote.

The normal voters then go back without casting votes.

Many other things may also happen. BAL Lathi Bahini threatens known opposition supporters from going to the booths on the way.

Many such things happen that the American observers cannot do anything about. When they finally know that they have been tricked, it is already the next day and the BAL party has been declared the winner already.

America should not fall into the BAL trap if it really wants a fair election.

 

[villageidiot]

I know its Ramadan time and talk of bribery is rather frowned upon.

But who wants to bet with me that Alga and his team will wine/dine and let's be honest, try to bribe these hapless pen-pushers from IRI sent to Dhaka?

I say its a definite possibility....

You would be right. There's is no restriction on "business" during Ramadan. And those who do this stuff think of it as just any business. Helps them sleep at night.

Even the most evil or corrupt person will have some justification in their mind. They will never consider themselves evil or corrupt. For example, a corrupt public servant will might come up with "If everyone is doing it, why not me?" or "If I don't do it, someone else will do it anyway, so why should I benefit". It's very predictable. This is the same lame excuse that Jacob the settler gave in that infamous video. If I don't steal a Palestinian's home, someone else will.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

The observers will monitor many things, but the political parties have a lot of tricks in their sleeves.

For example, 500 BAL cronies stand in line in a polling station since early morning. They go very slow and takes almost five hours to vote.

The normal voters then go back without casting votes.

Many other things may also happen. BAL Lathi Bahini threatens known opposition supporters from going to the booths on the way.

Many such things happen that the American observers cannot do anything about. When they finally know that they have been tricked, it is already the next day and the BAL party has been declared the winner already.

America should not fall into the BAL trap if it really wants a fair election.

What you are saying is only possible if BNP and other opposition party agents were totally prohibited to enter the voting centers. Which itself is a grave violation of election code and conduct. If opposition get equal access, then they will obviously challenge 500 BAL cadres standing for 8 hours ! A clash will erupt and voting have to be abandoned in such cases. If opposition can not get access to the polling station, then they can complain to the observers. In either way, irregularities and BAL hooliganism will be exposed. In proper election, there will be thousands of foreign election observers and dozens of foreign journalists will cover the election. It will be so much tough even for BAL to hide their vote theft and robbery in front of the world.

I am not saying only foreign observers are enough, neutral govt. is a must for any credible election in BD's context. But the presence of thousands of foreign observers will create a big problem for the govt. to make a sham election and get away with it.

 

[Bilal9]

I feel that BAL has stolen enough money that they will try to use that money to swing things in their direction.

Money = Cadres = Grassroots terrorization of opposition.

 

[bluesky]

I feel that BAL has stolen enough money that they will try to use that money to swing things in their direction.

Money = Cadres = Grassroots terrorization of opposition.

The BAL cadres with money in their pockets will shout "এবার খেলা হবে" with hockey sticks in their hands. The US observers would think it is Hockey games that would be played. How about enjoying them?

 

[PakAlp]

I feel that BAL has stolen enough money that they will try to use that money to swing things in their direction.

Money = Cadres = Grassroots terrorization of opposition.

Does BAL have real support in Bangladesh or are they just winning elections due to rigging, bribery etc.

 

[Bilal9]

Does BAL have real support in Bangladesh or are they just winning elections due to rigging, bribery etc.

Real support does not win elections in any country in the subcontinent, if I may say so.

Specific to Bangladeshi Political parties - they win elections using money, by buying Saree, Lungi and Biryani Packets for voters.

Sometimes AL does one better by stuffing ballot boxes and voters find out that their vote had already been cast the night before.

Where the electorate are so dumb that a Saree or Lungi can buy a vote, that cannot be called a democracy.