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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth will not observe Bangladesh Election

10 January 2007

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said today that without broad-based participation in the electoral process in Bangladesh, the Commonwealth would regrettably not be in a position to send an Observer Group to the country.

Mr McKinnon said that the Commonwealth was deeply concerned by recent developments in Bangladesh, including the level of violence, in the lead-up to the elections scheduled for 22 January 2007.

“A number of political parties, including the main Opposition party in the outgoing National Assembly, have indicated that they will be boycotting these elections,” he said.

While noting the statement made by the Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government about the particular constitutional constraints governing the date of the elections, as well as the measures taken to accommodate the concerns of political parties about creating a level playing field, the Secretary-General said that “no credible election process can take place without broad-based participation.”

“Bangladesh is at crossroads. It is incumbent upon all political parties and stakeholders in the election process to work towards a solution to avert a major political crisis and keep the interests of the nation uppermost in mind. Dialogue at the highest political levels in Bangladesh is the need of the hour. This is a real test of leadership and political will,” Mr McKinnon said.

The Secretary-General said that the Commonwealth would continue to monitor the situation closely and offer whatever assistance required. A political assessment team would shortly travel to Bangladesh for this purpose.

Note to Editors

For media enquiries, please contact Manoah Esipisu, Acting Head, Communications and Public Affairs Division; Tel: (44) 20-7747-6379 or Mobile: (44) 7894-462-021 or via email at m.esipisu@commonwealth.int

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int