US visa policy to be helpful for acceptable election: GM Quader

US visa policy will be helpful for holding an acceptable general election in Bangladesh, said Jatiya Party (JaPa) chairman Golam Mohammad Quader on Tuesday (May 30, 2023).

"We are looking at the US visa policy positively, because the Americans want to see a free, fair and participatory election in Bangladesh," he said while talking to media representatives at the party's Banani office in the capital on Tuesday (May 30).
Regarding the upcoming 12th parliamentary election, he said those who get involved in the electoral system or may influence the system, they usually have interest in Europe and America. Children of some of them study, or some of them are willing to live in those countries after their retirement. So, none of them wants to be blacklisted along with their families.

"Because of it, they will hesitate to obstruct the election process or do any irregularity. So, the US visa policy will help holding an acceptable election in Bangladesh. It appears that the US is sincere for a free and fair election in Bangladesh. Many things depend on how much the US visa policy is implemented or becomes effective," he said.

According to the JaPa chairman, free and fair will never be possible in Bangladesh without the participation of all political parties. The election will not be free, fair and acceptable if those who represent large number of people do not take part in the election. So, the government should try to ensure the participation of all political parties in the next general election.