UN team in Dhaka to encourage pre-poll dialogue

A six-member United Nations team led by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, has arrived in Bangladesh capital Dhaka with the objective of encouraging political parties to sit down for a dialogue and create an environment conducive to holding an inclusive, non-violent and credible election.

Fernandez-Taranco is leading a five-member delegation.

According to the Daily Star, it includes two senior officials from the Department of Political Affairs, a director from the Electoral Assistance Division and a senior mediation expert of the United Nations.

The team is expected to discuss the ongoing political crisis, which is centered on the general election scheduled for January 5 with stakeholders.

This is Fernandez-Taranco's third visit to Dhaka since he first came on December 10, last year. His second visit was in May.

During his earlier visits, he called for a solution to the issue of the electoral system through talks between the ruling and the opposition parties.

Despite repeated calls by the United Nations and influential countries, there has been no progress in breaking the political deadlock.

Instead, political parties have been in confrontation mode, which has recently taken a serious turn.

During his visit, Fernandez-Taranco will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, leaders of other political parties, the chief election commissioner, foreign diplomats, civil society members and media personnel.

The international community has made it clear to the political parties in Bangladesh that it wants continuation of the democratic process, peace and stability, and has also warned them of the consequences if Bangladesh fails to hold a free, fair and inclusive election, diplomatic sources said.

Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon had written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia on November 27 that the upcoming election should be inclusive, non-violent and credible to the people of Bangladesh.

He also informed both leaders that he would send an envoy, Fernandez-Taranco, to talk to them in this regard.

Ban has also requested Hasina and Khaleda to cooperate with the UN official.

According to his itinerary, Fernandez-Taranco will first meet Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque and then Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali. He will also hold meetings with Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam and BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Fernandez-Taranco will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gono Bhaban at 4 p.m. and Khaleda Zia at 6.30 p.m.

He is likely to meet them again on December 9 or 10 before leaving Bangladesh.