Jatiyo Party, IRI delegation discuss political climate, election concerns

Bangla Press Desk:  Leaders of the Jatiyo Party met with a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI) on Wednesday (22 Oct) to discuss Bangladesh’s political situation and the upcoming national elections.

The meeting took place at the Hotel Westin in the capital’s Gulshan, and was led by Jatiyo Party Chairman and former foreign minister Anisul Islam Mahmud.

The Jatiyo Party delegation included Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Hawladar, Executive Chairman Mujibul Haque Chunnu, and Masroor Mawla, the chairman’s special envoy for international affairs.

The IRI delegation was headed by Christopher Fussner, a member of the IRI Board, and Lisa Curtis, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

Other delegation members included Jessica Keegan, Steve Seema, Jamie Spykerman, John Fluherty, Darin Bielecki, Amitabh Ghosh, and Saida Mushrefah Jahan.

Discussions focused on the upcoming national elections, the overall political and human rights situation, and the transition toward a fully democratic process.

Jatiyo Party leaders expressed concerns about the continued filing of false cases against party workers, travel bans on several individuals, and administrative bias ahead of the polls.

They also stressed the need for a free and unhindered environment for political meetings and campaigns.

Following the meeting, Masroor Mawla said the IRI delegation had inquired about the Jatiyo Party’s position on participating in the elections.

In response, Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud reaffirmed that the Jatiyo Party remains an election-oriented political party, committed to democratic participation.

However, Mahmud noted that a stable electoral environment is not yet visible. He highlighted that false cases remain unresolved, travel bans persist, and administrative neutrality has yet to be ensured.

He added that the party still faces challenges in holding open meetings, calling for these issues to be addressed to create fair conditions ahead of the national elections.

BP/SP