'IPU doesn't have objection over Jan 5 polls'

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) members have no questions about Bangladesh's January general elections, newly elected IPU President Saber Hossain Chowdhury says.

Speaking to reporters in New York on Saturday local time, he said IPU members elected Bangladesh by a record margin thanks to strong democratic practices in the country.

"It's a remarkable recognition of Bangladesh's current parliamentary democracy," he said.

Chowdhury, who became chief of the 166-member organisation last month, is currently in the US to attend a high-level meeting.

He also mentioned the election of Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury as Chairman of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The 125-year old organisation, the focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue, plays a strong role whenever democracy is disrupted.

It suspended Bangladesh's membership thrice – first after the assassination of Bangladesh's founding father in 1975, the second in 1982 after HM Ershad declared martial law and in 2007 during the past caretaker government regime.

"...This (membership suspension) is a testimony [to the IPU's role]," he said.

Chowdhury recalled how several IPU members questioned the Jan 5 polls during the campaign.

"I asked them, 'won't an election be counted if a single party stays away'? It was organised in keeping with the Constitution to maintain democratic practices in Bangladesh," he said.

The BNP stayed away from the Jan 5 elections demanding voting under a neutral, caretaker dispensation.

Since then, there has been no question about the polls and trials of suspected war criminals.

"Not even any Middle-East countries raised voices. They supported me," he added.

With its victories at the IPU and CPA, Bangladesh is now leading 185 countries practicing parliamentary democracies.

Bangladesh now leads 6.5 billion people, IPU chief Chowdhury said, adding national unity was necessary to utilise Bangladesh's huge potential.

He said offices of IPU and CPA would soon be opened in Bangladesh.

"IPU has a large role. $1 trillion will be spent [on various sectors] on an average in coming years for development of various countries.

"Climate change, education, health services, food security will be prioritised mostly. The IPU will supervise these activities to make sure they are properly carried out," he added.