Rizvi: Russian envoy’s statement hurts democratic sentiments of Bangladeshis

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said a recent statement of Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy on the January 7 election has hurt the democratic sentiments of the people of Bangladesh.

In a statement issued on Friday, Rizvi said: “It has come to our attention that the Ambassador of Russia in Dhaka, Alexander Mantytskiy, has termed the statement of the BNP as misleading and false about Russia's role in the 12th national election. He also claimed that the people of Bangladesh elected the government in the election and 41.8% of the people voted, most of whom voted for the Awami League.”

In this regard, he said: “His unwanted, unintended and pro-Awami speech has hurt the democratic sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. Today, all Bangladeshi citizens outside the political circle of the Awami League have lost their rights and freedom and are subjugated in their own country. For the past 15 years, people from every class and profession have been subjected to discrimination, injustice and oppression by the corruption, misrule and repression perpetuated by the anti-people government.”

Rizvi further pointed out that it was clear that the “dummy election” held on January 7 was not intended to enfranchise or reflect the aspirations of the people. Rather, it was a violent fraud on the nation in the name of an election, with the aim of “illegally, immorally and unconstitutionally” prolonging the tenure of Sheikh Hasina’s government with the help and support of ballots stuffed the night before.

“The Election Commission has allegedly inflated and fabricated claims about the number of votes cast, contradicting news, information, photos, videos, and eyewitness accounts from polling stations across the country. “

“According to sources, less than 5% of voters actually cast ballots.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed dismay following the announcement of the “pre-arranged” results of the election, Rizvi said.

Similarly, the European Union expressed disappointment with the Bangladesh election, particularly the non-participation of all major political parties, and called for a timely and thorough investigation of all electoral irregularities, the statement noted.

The United States concurs with other observers, adding that the elections were neither fair nor free, the BNP leader said, adding that Canada expressed dismay that Bangladesh's electoral process has deviated from the principles of democracy and freedom on which Bangladesh was founded. 

“Australia highlighted the importance of free and fair elections, regretting that the elections were held in an environment where parties could not participate meaningfully and inclusively.”

In addition, seven prominent international organizations issued a joint statement calling for a fresh election under a neutral government in Bangladesh, he added.

Rizvi, in this regard, said: “Since the one-sided election on January 7 was not free, fair and impartial, holding a new and meaningful election is the popular demand of the people of Bangladesh today. The BNP has been campaigning for the restoration of the people's voting rights through a simultaneous movement with all pro-democracy political parties.”

Bangladesh and Russia have long-established cordial relations based on trade, commerce, knowledge and other bilateral interests, he added.

Rizvi said the BNP believes that long-term diplomatic success lies in building bridges of friendship between the people of the two countries. 

The BNP, therefore, calls on Russia to show due respect to the aspirations and interests of the people of Bangladesh, including democratic values, determination for independence and great sacrifices, he added.