The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The UN Secretary General's High-Level Panel on Bangladesh Elections yesterday ruled out any doubt or suspicion over holding a credible election here, but said there are still some challenges before the Caretaker Government and the Election Commission to face.

The three-member team of representatives of UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, comprising former UN assistant secretary general Francesc Vendrell, Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal Bhojraj Pokharel and Aracelly Santana, arrived here on November 23.

The UN panel is going to submit a report on Bangladesh's political situation to the UN secretary-general, panel chief Francesc Vendrell told a press conference at Hotel Sheraton in Dhaka prior to his departure yesterday.

Inspecting Bangladesh's pre-poll scenario, Francesc Vendrell categorically said, there is "no reason to doubt" the December 29 polls would be held in a free, fair and credible manner.

"I think that the chances of a credible election today are much higher than there were two years ago," he said

He hoped that the winners and losers in the next parliamentary polls would accept the results and there would be amicable relations between the ruling party and the opposition.

The UN team leader, however, said lifting the state of emergency shortly after December 11, the last date for withdrawal of candidature, and ensuring calm on the political front thereafter are the main challenges before the coming general election and also effective transition to democratic system.

Ensuring that political parties must abide by the code of conduct set by the election commission, there will be no violence in the run-up to the election, minority voters can vote freely, maintaining calm before and after the polling-day, and guaranteeing that results would be accepted by the parties are the other challenges the UN election-assessment team spelt out.

Vendrell reported that the caretaker government had assured that the emergency would go sometime before Dec 29, but not before Dec 11, the last date for withdrawal of candidacy.

The UN official also expressed surprise that some prominent citizens were in favour of holding the general election under the state of emergency.

"It is true that not only General Ershad but other prominent people in Bangladesh think the state of emergency should remain until Election Day. It is an unusual experience for us," said Vendrell.

"We would, of course, say the most important thing for the election is that political freedoms are in place: that there is freedom of speech, there is freedom of assembly, freedom from violence and intimidation.

"It seems to an outsider it would make sense to lift the state of emergency," he added.

Vendrell opposed diplomats' role in the domestic politics of the country. "I don't think the diplomats should be the main players in domestic politics."

"I think their tasks are very clear. They are here to represent their governments. They are here of course to ensure the assistance they give is properly utilised," he said.

"I think it is up to the people of Bangladesh to tell the foreigners to get off if we appear to be infringing into the internal affairs of Bangladesh," said the UN representative.

"I am leaving with the perception that things are looking positive. Some steps were already taken and some steps would be taken to ensure level playing field," said Vendrel, summing up the outcome of their weeklong visit to assess the pre-election situation at the direction of the UN secretary general, Ban ki-Moon.

During their visit, the UN representatives had meetings with the Government, the Election Commission, political leaders, diplomats, civil society members and other stakeholders, he said.