Heads of missions of different European countries in Dhaka on Monday urged all political parties to refrain from violence centring the upcoming general election.

‘They (envoys) urge all political parties to meet their democratic responsibilities and to refrain from violence; and law enforcement agencies to strictly adhere to the rule of law,’ said a joint local statement on parliamentary elections, reports the BSS.

The statement, signed by Heads of Mission of the European Union and the Heads of Mission of Norway and Switzerland called upon the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Election Commission and all stakeholders to ensure a genuine, credible, inclusive and transparent electoral process.

They urged all stakeholders to uphold and protect the citizens’ rights to universal suffrage, freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly and welcome the commitments made by the Bangladesh Election Commission and the Government of Bangladesh in this respect.

Participatory elections constitute an important step in the ongoing process of national development for all Bangladeshi citizens, they observed.

Signatories to the local statement are Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union Rensje Teerink, British High Commissioner Alison Blake, Spanish Ambassador D. Alvaro de Salas Gim,nez de Azc rate, Swedish Ambassador

Charlotta Schlyter, Ambassador of France Marie-Annick Bourdin, German Ambassador Peter Fahrenholtz, Dutch Ambassador Harry Verweij, Danish Ambassador Winnie Estrup Petersen, Norwegian Ambassador Sidsel Bleken and

Swiss Ambassador Rene Holenstein.