As the EU, U.S. and the Commonwealth decided not to send observers to Bangladesh’s Jan. 5 elections, the government on Tuesday assured full security to all foreign diplomats.
Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali gave this assurance, while briefing envoys from western countries as well as the UN Coordinator.
The diplomats reportedly expressed concern over the security situation in the wake of the recent political violence.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Tuesday urged people from all walks of life to march towards Dhaka on December 29 to force the government to scrap the January 5 election.
Naming the programme “March for Democracy,” Ms. Khaleda warned of tougher agitation programmes if the government blocked the march.
Terming the government “illegal,” she urged all concerned not to get involved with the process of the January 5 polls as the majority of the people would boycott the polls. “It cannot be an election but a selection,” she charged, referring to the record 154 uncontested wins.