UN will not send observers to Bangladesh elections

The United Nations has said that it has no plans to send observers to Bangladesh for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. Responding to a question on this issue at a regular briefing on Monday, UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, "The UN itself does not send election observers, unless there is a mandate from the General Assembly or the Security Council. This is no longer part of our work."

However, he said that an inquiry will be made as to whether the UN office in Bangladesh is providing any technical assistance related to elections. Dujarric said that the UN often provides such technical assistance in elections. The briefing also asked about the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to the country after 17 years.

Responding to a question on how his return is being viewed in the context of Bangladesh's democratic transformation, the spokesman said, "I do not evaluate the news. Journalists evaluate the news. "However, the UN will support the process so that the people of Bangladesh can freely express their political views," the spokesperson said.

The briefing also sought reactions to the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. "We express our condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh on her death," Stephane Dujarric said.