United Jumma International hopes for free and fair election in Bangladesh


Sydney, January 19, 2007 :The United Jumma International (UJI) has welcomed the reconstituted caretaker government and hoped that the rescheduled elections in Bangladesh would be held timely in a free and fair manner.

President of the UJI, Venerable A. Paññājoti pleased that the authorities in Bangladesh have chosen to postpone the national elections that were planned for January 22.

"To have held the elections in spite of a planned boycott by opposition parties would have meant such elections would have lacked credibility and been unacceptable to UJI and the international community,".

Venerable welcomed the decision of President Iajuddin to appoint a new chief adviser of the caretaker government, and encourages the new chief adviser to ensure the rescheduled elections are free and fair, and be held in a timely and peaceful manner with the participation of all political parties.

"The situation in Bangladesh remains fragile and the UJI urges all parties to work together to ensure the interests of all Indigenous communities and Bangladeshis are upheld,".