Staff Reporter:
The United Nations (UN) rights office has recommended ensuring a level playing field for all participat-ing political parties and candidates before the next general elections in Bangladesh.
“Entrench the reintroduction of appropriate special measures, especially for the period prior to elections, to ensure a level playing field for all participating political parties and candidates,” the UN body sug-gested in its recent report.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its Fact-Finding Report titled “Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangla-desh” from its Geneva office on February 12.
The OHCHR called for ensuring a safe and enabling environment for free and genuine elections, includ-ing by respecting fundamental freedoms.
It stressed strengthening oversight institutions that balance the influence of political parties on govern-ance.
The UN rights office also suggested strengthening the right to participation in the democratic process through ensuring that citizens and rights-holders are more actively and directly involved in the conduct of public affairs and decision-making processes, including through citizen-led participatory mechanisms.
“Initiate a broad consultation with political parties towards ensuring that the internal management of parties respects human rights principles,” the report read.
The OHCHR asked the Bangladesh authorities to refrain from political party bans, saying it would un-dermine a return to a genuine multiparty democracy and effectively disenfranchise a large part of the Bangladeshi electorate.
It also recommended effectively implementing laws and regulations providing for substantive equality between men and women in political and public life, including through temporary special measures where necessary and appropriate.
Speaking a press briefing in the capital on Saturday, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the interim government has already provided the roadmap of elections.
“We have stated that if political parties agree to proceed with minimal reforms, the elections can be held within December this year,” he said.
Alam further explained, “If the parties prefer elections after implementing additional reforms, there could be a delay of up to three months.”
On December 16 in 2024, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus said the next general elections can be held in between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026 after accomplishing necessary reforms.
“Broadly speaking, the election date can be set between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026,” he said while addressing the nation, marking the Victory Day.
