A delegation from the USA met with Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the party chairperson's office in Friday. Photo: BNP

DHAKA, May 09, 2025 (BSS) - A delegation from the US-based Carter Center met with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the party chairperson's Gulshan office here this morning.

The meeting covered various issues, including the country's political and economic situations, the restoration of democracy, and the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Following the hour-long meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan told reporters that two major issues-the overall political situation in Bangladesh and the process of democratization-were discussed.

He said the specific issue they raised was the possibility of coming to monitor the upcoming elections.

"If that happens, the main issues discussed are how it can be possible and when," he said.
 
Jonathan Stonestreet, Senior Associate Director of the Carter Center's Democracy Program, led the six-member delegation.

The other members of the delegation were Senior Associate Directors Tara Sharif, Michael Baldassaro, Saira Zahedi, Daniel Richards and Kazi Shahidul Islam.

The BNP Secretary General was accompanied by Abdul Moyeen Khan, Ismail Zabihullah, a member of the Chairperson's Advisory Council, Shama Obaid, Organising Secretary, and ABM Abdus Sattar, Private Secretary to the Chairperson of the party.

When asked whether the meeting discussed the timeframe of the election, Moyeen Khan said, "I don't want to criticise anyone. I will give a simple example. I also told them what happened in the history of Bangladesh; we saw a caretaker government after the fall of Ershad, which was also an interim government. But they gifted a fair election to crores of people of Bangladesh after 90 days, and till today, no one in Bangladesh criticises those polls."

"Therefore, it should be understood that there is no logic in taking a specific schedule to make the election fair and impartial. The election can be held within 90 days. It has already been nine months. These issues will come up for discussion among the people. If we do not do it, people will not remain silent. There has been a discussion on how quickly it can be done and when BNP expects this election."

Stating that the BNP's position on the election has already been made clear, the senior BNP leader said, "You know, we have said that if the election is held by the end of this year, it will be acceptable to the people."

He cautioned that any unnecessary delay might worsen the current political, social, and economic situation in Bangladesh.

"Therefore, if the stability of the country is disrupted for any reason, it will not be pleasant for the 18 crore people of the country," he added.

"That is why we have put emphasis on true representation of the people... that true representation can be determined only through a fair and impartial election. The sooner that election is held, the better we believe it will be for Bangladesh; we have told them."

Former US President Jimmy Carter founded this organisation in 1982. The organisation works to advance human rights and alleviate human suffering in different countries of the world.

The delegation is exchanging views with different political parties on the upcoming elections.

This meeting with BNP was held as part of the process.