Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey sat down with Jatiya Party Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud at a Dhaka hotel to hear concerns about electoral conditions ahead of Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary vote. Mahmud told Botchwey his party cannot compete fairly under the present circumstances, citing administrative dysfunction, ongoing violence, and unresolved legal actions targeting party officials.
The opposition leader emphasized that numerous false charges remain pending against his colleagues, while many face overseas travel restrictions lacking proper justification. Mahmud declared his organization will boycott the ballot unless authorities dismiss fabricated cases and remove movement limitations imposed on party members before voting commences. Party officials Ruhul Amin Howlader and Mashroor Mowla joined the discussion alongside a five-member Commonwealth team.
The opposition leader emphasized that numerous false charges remain pending against his colleagues, while many face overseas travel restrictions lacking proper justification. Mahmud declared his organization will boycott the ballot unless authorities dismiss fabricated cases and remove movement limitations imposed on party members before voting commences. Party officials Ruhul Amin Howlader and Mashroor Mowla joined the discussion alongside a five-member Commonwealth team.
