Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today greeted Emmanuel Macron on his re-election as the President of the French Republic.

In a message to Macron, she said, "It is indeed an immense pleasure to convey my warmest congratulations on your victory in the recently held Presidential Elections."

"Your re-election manifests the trust and confidence of the great French people that are reposed in you and your initiatives and commitments to ensure their welfare and prosperity," the Bangladesh premier said, adding: "The election, as you said, was a referendum for the European Union, secularism, and fraternity."

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Sheikh Hasina told Macron that she firmly believes the French people have given him the mandate to carry on with his values and vision.

"I trust, under your able stewardship, France will continue to serve as an essential player on the global stage beyond its role within the European Union," she said.

The Bangladesh PM recalled the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and expressed commitments to deepen and strengthen cooperation in diverse areas of shared interest.

"We count on France being on our side in our efforts to enhance trade, connectivity, and security cooperation with the European Union," she said.

The prime minister added that she looks forward to working closely with him in advancing the countries' shared priorities of combating climate change, preventing violent extremism, promoting regular migration, and ensuring gender equality.

She fondly recalled her visit to France in November last year and expressed deep gratitude for extending the gracious hospitality to her and her delegation.

Sheikh Hasina renewed her invitation to the reelected President of France to Bangladesh at his early convenience.

"I take this opportunity to recall your promise to visit Bangladesh if re-elected. Our Hon'ble President and I look forward to receiving you and your lady wife in Dhaka at your earliest convenience," she wrote.

Juktofront Chairman and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) President Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury today wrote to President Abdul Hamid for a dialogue for holding the upcoming general election in a free and fair manner.

“Leaders of the Juktofront are eager to talk with you regarding some important issues” Badruddoza, also a former president, wrote in the letter that reached Bangabhaban around 10:00am, BDB sources said.

Letter to the president from Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) President and Juktofront Chairman Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury. Photo: Star

“According to the constitution, Election Commission is the main conductor of the election and president has the sole authority over the EC. That’s why we want to discuss the Election Commission’s strength and responsibilities via you for holding a free and fair election,” the letter added.

He also urged the president to fix the date for the dialogue by tomorrow as “time is very short”.

Letter to the CEC from BDB secretary Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan. Photo: Star

Meanwhile, BDB secretary Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan sent a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda requesting him to sit with the alliance leaders before November 9 for holding talks over the issues regarding the upcoming general election. The letter was handed over to Nurul Huda by BDB’s Organisational Secretary Barrister Omar Faruk.

In response to the letter, EC invites Juktofront for the dialogue at 4:00pm today.

WHAT DID BADRUDDOZA SAY AFTER TALKS WITH PM?

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held talks with Bikalpadhara at the Gono Bhaban on November 2 following Badruddoza’s letter to her on the day before seeking dialogue with the AL.

Following the three-hour dialogue, Badruddoza, who had placed the seven-point demand, said the talks with the 14-party alliance was fruitful as Hasina agreed to most of their demands in principle.

The former president, however, said the PM did not agree to their demand for formation of a national or polls-time government. “But she said the election-time government will be neutral.”

“The prime minister has positively responded to our demands for holding a fair election,” he told a press conference at his Baridhara residence last night after the dialogue.

He said the PM assured them that a level-playing field would be ensured for all political parties for the election.

The BDB chief mentioned that the PM agreed with them that all government officials and employees, who will be directly or indirectly involved in the election process, would remain under the EC.

About army deployment during the polls, he said the PM told them that army personnel would be deployed at the upazila level as a striking force.

The Juktafront chief said the PM assured them that she would talk to the president about their objection to the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in the election.