Politics
US encourages free, fair polls in Bangladesh: Miller.

US encourages free, fair polls in Bangladesh: Miller

Politics

BD Correspondent: Earl Robert Miller, the newly appointed US ambassador to Bangladesh, today said the US continues to encourage everyone to hold a free, fair and credible polls in Bangladesh after his meeting with BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

All political parties are hopeful of a democratic election, the US ambassador told journalists after his meeting with the BNP secretary general.

Miller also urged everyone concerned to ensure that all candidates can campaign freely and safely.

WHO IS EARL ROBERT MILLER?

The newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Earl R Miller, arrived in Dhaka on November 18.

He succeeded Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, who served as the US ambassador to Bangladesh since February 4, 2015.

Prior to his appointment in Bangladesh, Miller served as ambassador to Botswana from 2014 to 2018.

He was confirmed as the ambassador to Bangladesh by US Senate on October 11 after President Donald Trump nominated him for the post on July 17, 2018.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Election Commission has revised polls schedule, deferring the 11th general election by a week to December 30 – a decision taken on November 12.

The authorities have fixed November 28 as the deadline for filing nomination papers, December 2 for scrutiny and December 9 last date of withdrawal.

The move came following demands from several opposition political parties.

IS EVERYONE PARTICIPATING?

Chief Election Commissioner has said that there is a congenial atmosphere in the country – echoing the words of the ruling party.

However, major opposition alliances like the JatiyaOikyafront, which includes BNP, and the BikalpaDhara-led Juktafront have sought for delaying the schedule.

Until thus far, it seems that the coming parliamentary election will not be the “non-participatory election” that was its predecessor.

All the major political parties are gearing up to contest in the election and there has been no threats of a boycott or withdrawal unlike the last time.