Political parties need to work together for free, fair polls: Gibson
Dhaka, Oct 3 (UNB) - Newly appointed British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson on Monday said all political parties should work together and cooperate with each other to ensure free and fair elections.
“Strong and independent election commission is critically important for holding free and fair elections,” he said responding to a volley of questions about the next general elections at his maiden press conference at Bay Galleria in the city.
Gibson, who served as Deputy British High Commissioner in Dhaka between 2002 and 2005, declined to make any comment on the opposition demand for elections under caretaker government, saying that it is a matter for the people of this country to decide.
“Free and fair election is in the hands of the people,” he told a correspondent.
In reply to another question, Gibson said if election commission is chosen as a mechanism to ensure fair elections all parties should work with it.
He stressed the need for a functioning parliament in Bangladesh where all parties would take their seats and hold debate on national issues.
Gibson, who presented his credentials to the President today (Monday), also stressed stability, transparency and on functioning democracy for achieving economic development.
He promised to work closely with government, political parties, business groups, civil society and ‘ordinary’ Bangladeshis to find solutions to the common issues and future challenges such as tackling the effects of the climate change.
The new British envoy also pledged to work for developing strong institutions that guarantee not only fair and transparent governance system ay home but also contribute to greater regional and global stability and prosperity.
He said U.K. would double her aid program in Bangladesh over the next four years to directly help more than 15 million people living in poverty.
Gibson said his country will help more children to better quality education, increase the enrolment at primary education level to 97 per cent by 2016 and develop technical skills for more young women and men seeking employment.
On commercial relations between Bangladesh and Britain, he said U.K. is one of the largest investors in this country with about 2 billion pound sterling investment in projects to date while more than 50 companies are operating in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna.
The new high commissioner appreciated Bangladesh’s economic progress with an average GDP of 5-6 percent. He also appreciated the country’s progress in reducing poverty, and child and maternal mortality.
Terming the climate change as a major challenge for Bangladesh, Gibsib said UK and Bangladesh will continue to work together on climate change negotiations, where Bangladesh has a great opportunity to make its voice heard and to make others listen.
“Strong and independent election commission is critically important for holding free and fair elections,” he said responding to a volley of questions about the next general elections at his maiden press conference at Bay Galleria in the city.
Gibson, who served as Deputy British High Commissioner in Dhaka between 2002 and 2005, declined to make any comment on the opposition demand for elections under caretaker government, saying that it is a matter for the people of this country to decide.
“Free and fair election is in the hands of the people,” he told a correspondent.
In reply to another question, Gibson said if election commission is chosen as a mechanism to ensure fair elections all parties should work with it.
He stressed the need for a functioning parliament in Bangladesh where all parties would take their seats and hold debate on national issues.
Gibson, who presented his credentials to the President today (Monday), also stressed stability, transparency and on functioning democracy for achieving economic development.
He promised to work closely with government, political parties, business groups, civil society and ‘ordinary’ Bangladeshis to find solutions to the common issues and future challenges such as tackling the effects of the climate change.
The new British envoy also pledged to work for developing strong institutions that guarantee not only fair and transparent governance system ay home but also contribute to greater regional and global stability and prosperity.
He said U.K. would double her aid program in Bangladesh over the next four years to directly help more than 15 million people living in poverty.
Gibson said his country will help more children to better quality education, increase the enrolment at primary education level to 97 per cent by 2016 and develop technical skills for more young women and men seeking employment.
On commercial relations between Bangladesh and Britain, he said U.K. is one of the largest investors in this country with about 2 billion pound sterling investment in projects to date while more than 50 companies are operating in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna.
The new high commissioner appreciated Bangladesh’s economic progress with an average GDP of 5-6 percent. He also appreciated the country’s progress in reducing poverty, and child and maternal mortality.
Terming the climate change as a major challenge for Bangladesh, Gibsib said UK and Bangladesh will continue to work together on climate change negotiations, where Bangladesh has a great opportunity to make its voice heard and to make others listen.
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