Govt set to hold credible polls
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday told the new Canadian high commissioner that his government's main goal is to hold a free, fair and credible general election on December 18.
Bangladesh can take pride in completing the digitised voter list for over 80 million people with photographs within a short span of time, he added.
The CA was talking to the newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner Robert McDougall who paid a courtesy call on him at the latter's office in the city.
After the meeting, Press Secretary to CA Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen on the bilateral talks.
Fakhruddin hoped that Canada would continue its support to Bangladesh for the socio-economic development, particularly in health, education and governance sectors, saying that Bangladesh attaches importance to its relations with the country and considers it as an important development partner.
Terming Bangladesh one of the largest recipients of Canadian assistance, the CA said both the countries continued to strengthen bilateral relations over the years.
The chief executive also thanked the Canadian government for providing transparent ballot boxes ahead of the next month's scheduled parliamentary polls.
The envoy was also briefed on the institutional reforms done by the interim government to strengthen the foundation of democracy and for transparency and better governance.
On food sector, the CA mentioned that the extraordinary role and contribution of Bangladeshi farmers who with the government support had been able to produce bumper harvest of food grains against the backdrop of world food crisis, saying that the government is expecting bumper crop also this year.
The high commissioner said he was impressed with completion of voter list with photographs and the domestic response to super cyclone 'Sidr'.
He appreciated the development of new varieties of paddies by Bangladesh which, he said, was doing very well in economic indicators in spite of natural calamities and other difficulties.
He also expressed satisfaction over the utilisation of Canadian assistance in development sectors.
Cida Head Robert Beadle and Press Secretary to the chief adviser Fahim Munaim were present at the meeting.
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