Voting rights were undermined by 17 years of sham elections, Speaker tells Kosovo ambassador

National parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram has said the people's democratic rights were undermined over the past 17 years through farcical elections. He made the remarks on Wednesday (4 November) during a courtesy call by Kosovo's ambassador to Bangladesh, Lulzim Pllana, at the Speaker's office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The Speaker said the Awami League government had established a reign of terror through enforced disappearances, killings, extrajudicial killings and vote rigging. He noted that the United Nations fact-finding report had documented the brutal and barbaric rule of the previous government.

He said Sheikh Hasina's autocratic rule ended through the July 2024 mass uprising, through which Bangladesh's democratic journey began anew.

The Speaker added that the people of Bangladesh are democracy-loving, and that the 13th national parliamentary election was among the freest, most acceptable and fairest in the country's history. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to fulfil the people's aspirations, he said.

During the meeting, the Kosovo ambassador praised Bangladesh's new democratic chapter. He said the active participation of current MPs in parliamentary debate was commendable, and that Bangladesh's large young and working-age population could contribute significantly to the economy by acquiring quality education and IT knowledge.

The ambassador expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for recognising Kosovo as an independent state, and invited the Speaker to visit Kosovo.

The meeting emphasised forming a parliamentary caucus group between the two countries, expanding trade and investment, joint academic and research programmes, and increasing sports and cultural exchanges.

The Speaker also highlighted the shared history of independence and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Kosovo, saying Kosovo's people had made the ultimate sacrifice for independence and that the two peoples share deep cultural bonds.

Representatives of the Kosovo embassy, the secretary of the Parliament Secretariat and other senior officials attended the meeting.