Dhaka: British High Commissioner in Dhaka has said that it was unfortunate that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted January 5 national elections, which the party claimed illegal as it was held under the ruling Awami League instead of a non-partisan caretaker government.

‘It was unfortunate that BNP chose not to participate in the elections. I don’t know whether it was justified or not,’ said the British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert W Gibson on Thursday at DCAB Talk at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

About BNP’s pre-emptive decision of boycotting national elections he said, ‘you never know the outcome beforehand.

He also went on defining democracy and its relationship with elections saying, “Democracy is not just [holding] elections.’

Gibson said democracy happens every moment, every day, and every month and round the year making government accountable and showing respect for democratic institutions and respect for rule of laws.  “Democracy is someway difficult to define,” added the British envoy.

The British High Commissioner, however, said that it is a ‘great shame’ that the reports of city corporation polls irregularities, disruptions and interference went without any investigation.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) President Masud Karim and General Secretary Bashir Ahmed also spoke at the programme.