2008 News
29 December 2008
Bangladesh Elections
British MEPs Dr Charles Tannock, Nirj Deva, and Neil Parish are currently in Bangladesh acting as electoral observers as part of a European delegation. Dr Charles Tannock will provide a full report upon his return.
Dr Charles Tannock with Neil Parish observing at a Dhaka polling station:
Dr Charles Tannock MEP (Conservative, London) in Dakha as Chairman of the EU short term election observation mission for the Bangladeshi general election 2008 with Dr. A T M Shamsul Huda (Chief Election Commissioner), Nirj Deva MEP (Conservative South East England), Neil Parish MEP (Conservative, South West England):
17 December 2008
A Message from Anne Main MP
We welcome the news today that an election is now agreed for the 29th December with all parties agreeing to participate. It is particularly welcome that the state of emergency has been lifted today allowing full campaigning and freedom of speech to ensure that as many as possible can vote in an election that they will find credible.
At a presentation of the All Party Parliamentary group today I urged our Government to ensure that both during and after the election we encourage respect for human rights and minorities. The ID and voter registration system is to be welcomed and I wish for a peaceful and fairly contested election so that any new Government can move forward and tackle some of the pressing issues facing Bangladesh, namely the price of food, poverty, climate change and the global economic downturn which will inevitably hit Bangladesh and businesses hard. I have also met with our new High Commissioner Nigel Evans urging him to ensure that he brings his good offices to bear in supporting Bangladesh at this crucial time.
Anne Main MP St. Albans
Chairman, Conservative Friends of Bangladesh
Deputy Chairman, All-Party Parliamentary Group
Patron, The Friends of Bangladesh UK
November 2008
Mile End East by-election - Thursday 20th November 2008
On Friday 14th November after Jummah prayer members of the CFOB executive committee were present at the Burdett Road mosque helping to boost support for the Conservative candidate Motiur Rahman.
Top: Mahbubur Rahman, Matt Vaughan, Cllr. Peter Golds
Bottom: Abdus Hamid, Motiur Rahman, Cllr. Mehfuz Ahmed, Syed Kamall MEP
Church Street's residents elect their first ever Conservative Councillor
Conservatives in Westminster North have today seen the election of their candidate, Mehfuz Ahmed, in the Church Street Council By-Election.
Church Street has been a Labour stronghold since its creation in 1964 – local residents have never before been represented by a Conservative Councillor.
Mehfuz Ahmed's victory is even more significant given Church Street's location – it is one of ten electoral wards, and one of only four Labour wards, in the newly redrawn, marginal constituency of Westminster North.
Westminster North will be a key target seat at the next general election. The outcome in Church Street bodes well for Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Joanne Cash and is further evidence of the tidal support behind David Cameron and the Conservative Party.
Joanne Cash, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Westminster North explained:
"This result is momentous. It is a clear message to Gordon Brown and the Labour Party that our residents have had enough.
Mehfuz Ahmed will make an excellent Councillor – he embodies the positive spirit of the Conservative party and our campaign in Westminster North.
We work for the right to represent our constituents. People are realising that if they want to improve their lives, it is the Conservative Party that will provide the opportunities to do so."
Westminster's newest Conservative councillor, Mehfuz Ahmed, agreed,
"Many people who have never voted Conservative before have put their faith in me.
I will repay their trust by working hard to ensure that the residents; views are heard and to make Church Street a safer and better place for us all."
BBC NEWS - Bangladesh poll date is announcedAnne Main MP welcomes today’s announcement that the General Elections will be held in Bangladesh on 18 December, election authorities say, with 13 November the deadline for nominations.
Understandably there have been concerns in the delays in holding these elections and I welcome the fact that a rigorous identification system has now been put in place to ensure that voter fraud is minimized. It is imperative that the elections proceed in a timely and orderly manner and that the democratic will of the people is upheld. I wish Bangladesh well in its progress toward a democratic elected government.
Anne Main MP
St. Albans
Anne Main MP at the recent British Curry Awards
March 2008
Anne Main MP and Cllr Tim Archer’s visit to Bangladesh
January 2008
Diary of Events
Saturday 5 January
We arrived in the early hours of the morning at Dhaka International Airport and were met by members of the Bangladeshi National Party and Awami League political parties.
Upon arrival at the hotel and after a short rest we organized our itinerary determined to try and meet representatives from all Parties. Our first meeting that same day was with Saber Chowdhury, the Organising Secretary of the Bangladesh Awami League & Political Secretary to Sheikh Hasina.
Later in the day we met with representatives from Amnesty International: Timothy Parritt, Deputy Director Asia-Pacific and Abbas Faiz, Researcher at Amnesty International.
Sunday 6 January
Our first meeting was at Dhaka University with the following: Professor S.M.A.Faiz, Vice-chancellor; Dr. Aka Firowz Ahmad, Proctor; Dr. Borhan Uddin Khan, Professor & Dean, Faculty of Law.
Later in the day we paid a visit to the British High Commission and met with his Excellency Mr. Anwar Choudhury.
On Sunday we also met with Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Mr. Alhaj Khondkar Delwar Hossain.
Monday 7 January
In the morning we had a series of private meetings with representatives of the Press and Media.
That evening we met with Zillur Rahman, Acting President of the Awami League and also had the opportunity of meeting with Sheikh Hasina’s legal defence team including M.K. Rahman, Advocate Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Muhammad Mohsen Rashid, Advocate, Tawfique Nawaz, Senior Advocate Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
Tuesday 8 January
Our first meeting of the day was with Saifur Rahman, Acting Chairman, and General Major (rtd) Hafizuddin Ahmed of the Bangladesh National Party.
In the afternoon a visit was made into the countryside around Dhaka to visit the Canary Wharf sponsored Youth Football team.
A visit was also made that afternoon to the Bangladesh National Martyrs Memorial commemorating the three million Bangladeshis that died fighting for Bangladesh Independence.
In the evening we met with Begum Khalda Zia’s legal defence team: A. M. Mahbub Uddin (aka Khokon), Advocate Supreme Court of Bangaladesh; Barrister Muhammad Nawshad Zamir & Barrister Sk. Abu Musa Muhammad Arif.
Wednesday 9 January
Before flying home we took some time off and visited Lalbagh Fort, Bangladesh National Museum and Bangladesh National Parliament building.
We did request meeting with the representatives from the Caretaker Government but no meetings were forthcoming.
Cllr Tim Archer
