Stop Violence, Postpone Election, Continue Discussion, said dialogue discussants

In view of the emerging political situation, the overwhelming majority of discussants at a dialogue expressed reservations concerning the upcoming National Election slated for 5 January 2013 and urged to postpone the election.

Discussants demanded immediate cessation of violence all across the country and called for designing a roadmap to an inclusive election by formulating an acceptable package solution through further discussion to resolve the upcoming challenges centring the election-time government.

The observations emerged from a dialogue titled “Bangladesh in Crisis: Citizens’ Concerns,” organised by CPD in partnership with Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at the Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka, on 28 December 2013.

 

(from left) Mr Syed Manzur Elahi, Treasurer, CPD Board of Trustees; Mr Rashed Khan Menon, MP, Hon’ble Minister for Post and Telecommunications; Professor Rehman Sobhan, Chairman, CPD; Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, CPD Distinguished Fellow and Ambassador Mr Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Vice Chairman, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
(from left) Mr Syed Manzur Elahi, Treasurer, CPD Board of Trustees; Mr Rashed Khan Menon, MP, Hon’ble Minister for Post and Telecommunications; Professor Rehman Sobhan, Chairman, CPD; Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, CPD Distinguished Fellow and Ambassador Mr Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Vice Chairman, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

 

Chaired by CPD Chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan, the dialogue aimed at raising voices of eminent citizens from all segments of the society as regards finding solution to the current political stalemate.

Speakers at the dialogue also stressed to pay attention to the economic cost of political unrest and violence and cautioned that Bangladesh’s achievements are being tarnished by such political turmoil. They also demanded continuation of the war crimes trial and urged to revive democratic practices by ending confrontational politics.

 

Eminent citizens and members from the civil society widely participated in the open-floor discussion.
Eminent citizens and members from the civil society widely participated in the open-floor discussion.