8 Canadian MPs Send Letter to PM Hasina On Fair Polls

A group of eight members from Canada's House of Commons, affiliated with the Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group, addressed a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh on November 8. The missive, shared by Brad Redekopp, the chair of the Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group, underscored the significance of ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh, specifically scheduled for January 2024.

Expressing their strong wish for transparent and equitable elections, the Canadian lawmakers highlighted a series of expectations for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. These included safeguarding freedom of expression and respecting differing viewpoints, actively preventing voting irregularities such as intimidation, rigging, and fraudulent practices, and ensuring the safety of all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations. Additionally, they stressed the importance of encouraging the engagement of all eligible Bangladeshi citizens in the electoral process.

The letter emphasized that a flourishing democracy hinges on the inclusion of diverse political perspectives and the genuine representation of citizens' choices. The Canadian lawmakers encouraged Bangladesh to demonstrate a staunch commitment to democracy by allowing unrestricted participation of all political parties and conducting the electoral process without bias, thereby exhibiting deep respect for the will of the people.

Acknowledging the robust bilateral relationship between Canada and Bangladesh, the letter articulated a hope for further growth in the exchange of people and goods, a vision contingent upon strong democratic governance in both nations.

In anticipation of the forthcoming elections, the letter concluded with a strong plea to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to uphold and enhance Bangladesh's democratic tradition by ensuring an electoral process that remains open, fair, and peaceful, involving all political parties in a transparent manner.