'EU wants free, fair election based on existing legal framework'

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said the European Union (EU) wants to see a fair and free election based on the constitution and existing legal framework of Bangladesh.

The minister made the remark after a meeting between the AL and the visiting EU delegation at a hotel in Dhaka on Saturday. Four members of the EU participated in the meeting led by Salori Ricardo while AL's delegation was led by party general secretary Obaidul Quader.

The AL told the EU delegation that a free, fair and peaceful election is possible under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina as AL is committed to holding the election in a free, fair and peaceful manner, said Quader.

Noting that they (the EU delegation) want to see an election based on the constitution, sovereignty and the legal system of Bangladesh, he said they told the AL members that they are convinced of the reform of the electoral system here.

While talking to the journalists, the veteran AL leader said, "We do not accept any deviation from the provisions of the Bangladesh Constitution regarding elections."

Like in other countries of the world, he said, the election-time government will be formed in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. There is no question of dissolution of parliament and the resignation of the government as well as the Prime Minister, he mentioned.

AL Advisory Council Member and former Ambassador Muhammad Zamir, AL Presidium Member Lt Col Muhammad Faruk Khan (Retd), Information and Broadcasting Minister and AL Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, AL International Affairs Secretary Shammi Ahmed, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Information and Research Secretary Dr Salim Mahmud and AL central executive committee members Mohammad A Arafat and Advocate Tarana Halim took part in the meeting.

/KN/