Diplomats want to see effective democracy in city polls

Terming the upcoming Dhaka City Corporation elections “An opportunity for the citizens of Dhaka to exercise their democratic rights”, diplomats stationed in Dhaka expressed their hope to see democracy in action in polling centres across the city on February 1.

“We look forward to seeing democracy in action in polling centres across the city,” they said on Thursday night in a joint ‘local statement’ on Dhaka city corporations’ elections.

“We hope the government of Bangladesh, the Election Commission and all political parties will respect the rights of citizens to cast their votes in a peaceful and festive atmosphere, and count the votes with fairness and integrity,” the statement read.

Elections to both the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will be held on February 1.

The Heads of Mission are Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Charlotta Schlyter, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh René Holenstein, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh Sidsel Bleken, Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Winnie Estrup Petersen, Charge d’ Affairs, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Jeroen Steeghs and acting Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Penny Morton.

Dhaka/Hasan/AI