The new elected government and the opposition should not feel like winners or losers, rather they should work together to strengthen the democratic institutions, said the UN panel on parliamentary elections in Bangladesh yesterday.

It also said dealing with the global economic crisis will be the biggest immediate challenge for the new government.

Terming the just concluded national polls fair, credible and of international standards, the panel said the authorities, however, must pay attention to all complaints BNP is making because there might be some validity to those.

"I call on the future government and the opposition in parliament to continue showing restraint. They should not have the feeling of winning or losing," said Francesc Vendrell, head of the UN secretary general's high-level panel on the parliamentary elections, at a media conference in Hotel Sonargaon in the capital.

Asked to comment on BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain's remark that poll observers from the US and European Union (EU) had 'hands in the elections', Vendrell said not only the observers from the US and EU, but observers of other national and international groups also said the polls were fair and peaceful.

Congratulating the political parties for participating in the polls and the Election Commission (EC) for its professionalism in holding the elections, he said, "It is extremely positive, as there was a high turnout in the election. This is very significant. The minorities also cast votes without intimidation."

About the panel's observation on post-election violence, Vendrell said there should not be any such violence, and law enforcers must ensure law and order.

The UN observers are still monitoring the situation and will submit the final report soon, he added.

During the visit, the three-member panel held meetings with senior government officials, election authorities, political parties, civil society members, poll observers, and development partners.

Wrapping up the panel's one-week visit to Bangladesh, Vendrell said he would very much encourage Awami League (AL) to strengthen friendship with BNP, and would encourage BNP, despite their frustration, to participate in the parliament.

AL-led grand alliance that had a substantial victory has a heavy responsibility of governing the country, head of the UN panel said, adding that BNP may not have many seats in the parliament, but got over one-third of the votes, which is the case in many countries.

BNP has every scope for making the parliament effective, he said adding, a large majority is not necessarily a problem, there are also examples where even a smaller majority could not ensure a parliament's effectiveness.

Vendrell, a former UN assistant secretary general, said he does not believe a parliament with a small opposition against a huge majority cannot be effective, adding that the number of the opposition in the present German parliament is small while in 1993 the Canadian House of Commons had only two opposition members, reported UNB.

He said election is one way of achieving democracy. There are other things like stable law and order, independence of the judiciary, anti-corruption commission, and human rights commission, which are also required to strengthen democracy.

Vendrell, who had a long meeting earlier with AL President Sheikh Hasina, said they discussed various issues including how to make the next parliament effective, trial of war criminals, and Bangladesh-UN cooperation through UNDP, according to UNB.

Hasina has 'the right kind of spirit' he said, adding that she wants to work with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and is willing to offer the post of the deputy speaker to the opposition.

On BNP's complaints about the polls, Vendrell said, "BNP has some complaints. I would tell them to submit the complaints to the Election Commission, which should pay attention to all the complaints. These complaints might be valid."

About UN assistance in trying war criminals, the head of the UN panel said the Bangladesh government has to write to the UN secretary general, and actions will be taken accordingly.

Asked about what he thinks going to be the most critical challenge for the new government, Vendrell said it will surely be the global economic crisis. The UN will extend all necessary cooperation to Bangladesh, he noted.

Bhojraj Pokharel, chief election commissioner of Nepal, and Aracelly Santana, a former deputy director of the UN Electoral Assistance Division, were also present.

Source: The Daily Star