Whether to hold elections or reforms first

is up to the people, government and political parties of Bangladesh, not the UN, said UN Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative in Bangladesh Gwen Lewis at the National Press Club's DCAB Talk on Wednesday (June 4).

Responding to a question about the elections, Lewis said, "The UN cannot play any role in holding elections in Bangladesh. Holding elections is a political decision. The people and political parties in Bangladesh will decide when the elections will be held."

He further said that inclusive

elections do not mean the participation of all political parties. According to the UN definition, participation of people from all classes and professions in society is called participatory.

At that time, he finalized the establishment of the UN Human Rights Office in Dhaka and said that the office will be opened on a small scale soon.

Gwen Lewis, expressing support

for the work of the National Consensus Commission, said that their work is complex, and the United Nations believes that it will help ensure fair and free elections.

Also speaking at the event were DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Md. Arifuzzaman Mamun.