Dhaka, December 27 – Two days ahead of the Bangladesh national parliamentary election, Democracy International conducted a roundtable discussion today titled, ‘Ways forward to a peaceful election’ in Dhaka. Political leaders of major political parties, civil society representatives, and senior journalists participated in the discussion and put forward important recommendations to promote peaceful elections and tolerant politics. Key recommendations from this discussion included:
• The Election Commission and law enforcement agencies should play a strong role in ensuring a favorable atmosphere so that voters and political activists can participate peacefully in the election.
• Political parties and the media should promote more examples of tolerant politics.
• Political parties should take sincere initiatives to build trust with each other and to fulfill their responsibilities in holding a peaceful election.
Key speakers at the round table discussion included Bangladesh Awami League Central Committee Member, Reazul Kabir Kawsar; President of FEMA Munira Khan; CEO of DNet, ABM Sirajul Islam; Acting Editor of the Daily Samakal, Mustafiz Shofi; Independent Television’s Head of News, Ashish Saikat; Democracy International Chief of Party, Katie Croake; and DI’s Senior Director of Elections, Dr. Abdul Alim. DI’s Program Director, Aminul Ehsan, moderated the discussion.
This round table discussion was part of the Shantite Bijoy campaign under the Strengthening Political Landscape (SPL) project jointly funded by USAID and UKAid. – Press release
