Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said that US President Joe Biden wants to strengthen and embolden US – Bangladesh ties further.
He said the US president sent more than one delegation (to Bangladesh) to deepen this relationship, and “they gave us some advice as our friend.” Noting that a friend can give advice to another, he said: “We have accepted many of their advice as well. We said that if the advice is objective, we will definitely accept it.”
He made these remarks while briefing media about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daily engagements on 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session’s sidelines in New York on Monday.
About US visa policy, Momen said the US announced new visa policy against those who would undermine the election.
He said, “This is good for us as we are out to join the election to be held in a free and fair manner. We want that none can disrupt the polls and commit violence here. So, the US is working with us. We’re working very closely on the issue”.
Citing an example, Momen said the US expressed concern over our Digital Security Act, saying that it was being misused to some extent. “So, we worked on it… We are working together.”
Foreign Minister further said that the government has made a commitment that it would hold a free and fair election as the Election Commission was given absolute authority in this regard,
“It requires utmost sincerity from all, irrespective of their political background and views, for the arrangement of a free, fair and violence-free election. If so, we Inshallah will be able to hold a free and fair election. We want to set an example in the world that we can do it,” he said.
“The foreign minister said the EC is constituted under a law and the prime minister doesn’t appoint election commissioners. Even, the president and the prime minister can’t remove the election commissioners. The EC can suspend, terminate or punish any government employee if they are found involved in irregularities,” he added. In case of vote rigging, the EC can also cancel the vote of a polling station, he said.
“The Election Commission has been given absolute authority (regarding election),” he added.
“The Election Commission was given absolute authority (regarding election),” he reiterated.