Japan hopeful of better election in Bangladesh

Japan’s ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki on Tuesday expressed his optimism that Bangladesh will have a better election this time compared to the last national election as he sees some positive measures to that end.

“I have noticed some positive moves by the government….so, after 50 years, for the first time there was the enactment of a new law. I think that’s a positive step,” he said, referring to the "Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Appointment Law, 2022."

The Japanese envoy said the election is scheduled for the end of next year but he is aware that the media outlets are talking about and covering the election issues almost every day, reports UNB.

“So, naturally any ambassador is required to have a certain level of interest in this upcoming election,” he said speaking at "DCAB Talk" at Jatiya Press Club organized by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).

DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus moderated the programme while its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin delivered welcome remarks.

Ambassador Naoki said his hope and expectation is that there will be some more measures between now and the end of next year in light of holding a better election, a free and fair election, compared to the last national election.

The envoy said he has been telling some of the government officials that Japan hopes that Bangladesh will have a better election; a free and fair election, this time. “I am going to continue to raise these points to the government.”

"You will be surprised to hear that even the Japanese embassy issued a statement with some concern immediately after the last general election, in December 2018. The main focus was the violence which occurred surrounding the election situation," he said.

Reportedly, the envoy added, there were some unfortunate cases regarding how elections were conducted last time.

Talking about the role of media, the ambassador said, "I think to conduct better elections, the space for the media is important on how they can play a role to portray people's voices here so that every single vote can be counted, every voter can have an opportunity to state his or her say. So, I think the media's role should not be underestimated."

He also mentioned some rules and legislation including the Digital Security Act (DSA) and said, "I am hopeful that there will be space for media during the election next year."

The ambassador laid emphasis on continuation of policy consistency and stability in the country to keep its growth unhurt.