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British High Commissioner comments on today’s City Corporations elections in Bangladesh

Robert W Gibson CMG hopes all parties must ensure that their response to today's events remains within the law.

• From: British High Commission Dhaka
• Published: 28 April 2015
• Last updated: 28 April 2015 — See all updates

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The British High Commissioner this afternoon expressed his disappointment that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) felt it had to withdraw its endorsed candidates from the City Corporation elections partway through voting today. He hoped that the decision would not result in violence or disruption in Dhaka and Chittagong tonight and over the next few days.

All parties must ensure that their response to today’s events remains within the law. It will be important that all allegations of irregularity are investigated swiftly and impartially. The responsibility remains with all parties, the Election Commission, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that elections can take place in an ordered atmosphere to allow all voters the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights. Those candidates who are successful in being elected should seek to serve the needs and wishes of all the voters in both cities.

Published 28 April 2015
Last updated 28 April 2015 + show all updates

1. 28 April 2015

   Minor edited.

2. 28 April 2015

   First published.