Polls as per parliamentary system elsewhere: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday reiterated that the next general election in the country will be held as per the system which is followed by major developed nations of parliamentary democracy, including the United Kingdom.The Prime Minister expressed the view when visiting British Minister of State for International Development (DFID) Alan Duncan met her at her office.
After the meeting, PM’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters about the outcome of the meeting.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has strengthened the Election Commission, and mentioned the appointment of election commissioners, including the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), through a search committee by late President Zillur Rahman.
She also referred to the holding of over 5,600 elections in a free, fair, neutral and peaceful manner in the last four a half years without any intervention from the ruling party.
Referring to the serial blasts of bombs at 500 places in 63 districts, and attacks on British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury during the previous BNP-Jamaat government, the Prime Minister said her government contained militancy and terrorism with an iron hand in the last four years.
The government also put special emphasis on mass literacy, and education, development of agriculture, transport and energy sectors and development of human resources, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said her government reached the healthcare services to the doorsteps of the common people through community clinics and providing free textbooks up to secondary level to spread education.
Besides, she said, Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust Fund with 1000 crore taka seed money has been constituted to help the poor and meritorious students continue their study up to degree level.
She also referred to Vision 2021 of her government setting a goal to transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021.
Hasina requested the British investors to take advantage of investment-friendly climate in Bangladesh and its trainable and competitive work force for channeling the greater FDI into the country.
The Prime Minister appreciated the UK government for supporting the efforts of Bangladesh to bring those responsible for committing atrocities during the 1971 War of Liberation to justice.
Terming the UK as one of the major economic and trade partners of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina appreciated the duty- and quota-free access of Bangladesh’s products to the EU markets, and hoped that the UK will support the LDC-friendly ‘Rules of Origin’ requirements.
Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shaikh Wahid Uz Zaman, PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzaman and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were, among others, present at the meeting. (Source: UNB)

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