The Bangladesh Police Services Association has rejected Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s comment on police stuffing ballot boxes the night before elections, terming it baseless.
In a protest letter on Thursday, the association requested the Japanese diplomat to withdraw that particular part of his speech he delivered at a programme of “Meet the Ambassador” in the capital on 14 November.
The letter signed by BPSA President Monirul Islam, also chief of special branch of police, and General Secretary Md Asaduzzaman, also superintendent of police in Dhaka, stated that the ambassador’s allegation against police was baseless and unwarranted.
Issuing a strong condemnation to the envoy’s statement, the association said every member of the Bangladesh Police was shocked and embarrassed by his speech.
On the 14 November programme, the Japanese ambassador said he heard of the example of stuffing ballot boxes by police officials the night before elections.
He also remarked that he never heard of such incidents in any other country.
In protest to the speech, Bangladesh Police Services Association said, “The actual information regarding the role of Bangladesh Police in the elections is that police provides security and maintains law and order during the election following the instructions of the Election Commission.
Beyond this, the statement continued, the police have no other role in the selection of candidates for voters or casting their ballots.
“Bangladesh Police provides assistance in conducting fair elections as per the instructions of the Election Commission with utmost professionalism in all elections. Such a statement by the Japanese ambassador about a professional force like Bangladesh Police is unwelcomed and unexpected.”
The BPSA letter said, “Bangladesh Police provides assistance in holding fair elections as per the instructions of the Election Commission with utmost professionalism in all elections.
Referring to the good economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries, the police association said Ito Naoki’s comments have disappointed every member of the Bangladesh Police and created confusion in general public’s mind.
“In view of this comment, the Bangladesh Police Service Association is requesting him to withdraw the said part of his speech,” added the statement.
