'Our position clear; AL won’t be able to join polls': Govt

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reiterated the government's position, mentioning that the Bangladesh Awami League will not be able to participate in the next national election scheduled for 12 February.

"Regarding Awami League, our position is clear," he said, adding that AL activities and its registration as a political party are suspended.

For this reason, Alam told reporters today (24 December) at the Foreign Service Academy, the AL will not be able to participate in the upcoming election.

The press secretary made the remarks when his attention was drawn regarding the letter written to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus by five US lawmakers on the importance of "inclusive, free and fair elections" on 23 December.

Alam said he did not see the letter and is not aware of it. "At least I did not see the letter. I am not aware of the letter."

Representatives Gregory W Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Bill Huizenga and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, sent a letter to Prof Yunus, expressing concern over the 'total ban of a political party' ahead of elections in February. Cosigners of the letter include Rep. Julie Johnson and Tom Suozzi.

Ultimately, they said, the Bangladeshi people deserve to be able to choose an elected government in a free and fair election in which all political parties can participate so that their voices are represented.

They mentioned that Bangladesh is a critical partner for the United States, and they stand ready to work with Prof Yunus and his government to support both their bilateral relationship and Bangladesh's democratic transition in the months ahead.

"We welcome your willingness to step forward at a moment of national crisis in Bangladesh to lead an interim government ahead of elections in February of next year. It is vital that the interim government work with parties across the political spectrum to create the conditions for free and fair elections that allow the voice of the Bangladeshi people to be expressed peacefully through the ballot box, as well as reforms that restore confidence in the integrity and nonpartisanship of state institutions," the letter reads.

They said they are concerned that this cannot happen if the government suspends the activities of political parties or again restarts the flawed International Crimes Tribunal.

"Freedom of association, as well as the principle of individual rather than collective criminal responsibility, are fundamental human rights. We are concerned that the decision to fully suspend the activity of any one political party, rather than focus on persons determined to have committed crimes or gross violations of human rights through the due process of law, is inconsistent with those principles," the letter reads.