Staff correspondent :

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is ready to conduct free, fair and violence-free elections.
He said this at a press conference after a meeting with the visiting United States (US) pre-election observation mission at the ministry’s conference room today.
The Home Minister said, ‘We are ready to conduct a free, fair and violence-free election under our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.’
Kamal also said that our election will be according to the constitution. I think their (BNP) representatives will participate in the elections. There is no chance to change the government without elections. Our pledge is a free, fair and violence-free election.
“We have assured them that our trained and efficient law and order forces will be able to provide adequate security to the candidates,” he said, noting that the UN delegation had asked about the security of the candidates willing to participate in the national elections.
Kamal also said, “I told them (observation team), our media people are completely independent. They publish any news at any time. We do not suppress anyone’s voice.’
The Home Minister said, ‘We have more than 3,000 daily newspapers. Besides, there is social media. Various types of news are broadcasted there. Everyone knows that the rule of law has been established in the country. The Election Commission will arrange a beautiful election.’
The visiting US delegation included International Republican Institute (IRI) Program Managers David Hoogsta, Bonnie Glick, Jamil Zafar and Johanna Cao, National Democratic Institute (NDI) Maria Chin Abdullah and Manpreet Singh Anand.
Additional Inspector General of Police (ADL-IGP) and Head of Special Branch during the briefing. Monirul Islam, Additional IGP. Kamrul Ahsan and Additional Secretary Tipu Sultan along with related officials were present.
Kamal also said, ‘The American pre-assessment team asked us about the role, responsibilities, activities and coordination of the Ministry of Home Affairs with the Election Commission. We have apprised them about the role of law enforcement and the government in coordinating the EC (during elections).’
In response to a question, he pointed out that there was no discussion about who will come to observe the election of the Home Minister and said that our election will be according to the constitution.
Freedom fighter Kamal said, their (US party’s) main goal is to ensure a fair and free election.
The minister also said that he told what they wanted to know.
The US delegation arrived in Dhaka on Saturday and will stay in Bangladesh till October 13 to assess the pre-election situation.
They have already held meetings with Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Party.