Russian election observers head Andrei Shutov says, ‘elections took place in calm and stable atmosphere’

As the 12th Parliamentary Election January 7, 2024 in Bangladesh has been already held, head of a three-member delegation of Russian election observers, Andrei Shutov in an exclusive interview to Blitz said, “elections took place in calm and stable atmosphere”.

Here is the excerpts of the interview:

Blitz: You have observed today Bangladesh’s 12th Parliamentary Elections. May you please give us your first comment of this election that has drawn huge international attention?

Andrei Shutov: We have visited several polling stations in different areas of Dhaka and we can say that elections took place in calm and stable atmosphere. We could see that for many citizens elections were perceived in festive mood. We would also like to underline that law and order were assured by uniformed personnel.

Blitz: As Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had promised free and fair election. In your opinion, do you see this election as being free and fair?

Andrei Shutov: Yes we do. We did not observe any obstacles that could impede ballot casting process.

Blitz: On January 6, 2024, you said quoting Chief Election Commissioner that , “Several Western nations including the US, are trying to influence the course and results of the general elections in Bangladesh”. In your opinion, what might be the reason behind this comment?

Andrei Shutov: I would like to refer you to the statement made by the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ms. [Maria] Zakharova who said that there are serious grounds to fear that wider arsenal of tools for pressure, including sanctions, may be used against the unfavorable to the West Bangladeshi government. Key industries may come under attack, as well as a number of officials who, without evidence, may be accused of obstructing the democratic expression of the citizens’ will in the parliamentary elections on January 7, 2024. In case the USA is not satisfied with the results of the people’s vote, the attempts to further destabilize the situation in Bangladesh along the lines of the Arab Spring are likely.

Blitz: While Western nations attempted to capitalize the election in destabilizing Bangladesh, and as the election has already been held now where BNP and other opposition forces failed to obstruct the election, do you think, following January 7, Bangladesh’s democracy is saved and the country would move towards progress, prosperity and peace under the next government?

Andrei Shutov: We consider the general elections held in Bangladesh as a landmark achievement in advancing Bangladeshi society along the path of democracy and stable socio-political development. We will continue the course of progressive strengthening of multidisciplinary Russian-Bangladeshi relations (including electoral systems) in the interests of the peoples of our countries.

It may be mentioned here that, earlier Russian Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova had hit news headlines in Bangladesh through her statement on the “danger of destabilization of situation in Bangladesh”.

According to Russian state-run news agency TASS, Maria Zakharova on December 15 said: On December 12-13, opponents of the incumbent government blocked road traffic, set buses on fire and clashed with the police in a number of districts in Bangladesh. We see a direct link between these events and instigating activities of Western diplomatic missions in Dhaka. In particular, of US Ambassador Peter Haas, as we already mentioned at the briefing on November 22.

There are serious grounds to fear that in the coming weeks an even wider arsenal of tools for pressure, including sanctions, may be used against the unfavorable to the West Bangladeshi government. Key industries may come under attack, as well as a number of officials who, without evidence, may be accused of obstructing the democratic expression of the citizens’ will in the upcoming parliamentary elections on January 7, 2024. In case the USA is not satisfied with the results of the people’s vote, the attempts to further destabilize the situation in Bangladesh along the lines of the Arab Spring are likely.

Unfortunately, there is little chance that Washington will come to its senses and refrain from another rude interference in internal affairs of a sovereign state. However, we are confident that despite all the external scheming, eventually it will be the friendly people of Bangladesh and no one else who will decide the issue of power in Bangladesh.