8 Canadian MPs send letter to PM Hasina on fair election

Eight members of the House of Commons of Canada have sent a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina calling for free, fair and peaceful elections in Bangladesh.

They also have expressed the hope that the government will protect the freedom of expression.

Those eight lawmakers from Canada's lower house are members of the Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group. They sent the letter to the Prime Minister on November 8.

Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group chair Brad Redekopp shared the letter on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

In their letter, the Canadian parliament members said, “As members of the Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group, we are writing you regarding the elections expected in your country in January of 2024. We write to express our deep desire to see free, fair, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh.”

Recognising that this election will give millions of Bangladeshis the opportunity to express their choice of political party to govern Bangladesh, the Canadian lawmakers placed a list of expectations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

They expect the government of Sheikh Hasina will protect freedom of expression and respect dissenting opinions; work diligently to prevent irregularities in voting so that voter intimidation, vote rigging and ballot box stuffing are not allowed to happen.The Canadian lawmakers also expect that the government of Sheikh Hasina will do everything it can to prevent violence and ensure the protection of all Bangladeshis, regardless of their political affiliation, and  promote active participation of all eligible Bangladeshi citizens in the election.