The country’s politics now has been confined to the diplomatic net as a wide range of discussions is being held among all the political parties centering on the new US visa policy announcement by the United States ahead of the next parliamentary elections.

The government is saying BNP will face the visa problem if the party does not participate in the vote or obstruct it. On the other hand, the opposition parties including BNP are saying the separate visa policy of Bangladesh is shameful for all and the government is responsible for this.    

The announcement came through a statement by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“Today, I am announcing a new visa policy under Section 212(a) (3) (C) (3C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair and peaceful national elections,” he said.

It said the wide range of people under the purview of the new policy includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services.

Political analyst and former chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) Professor Abdul Mannan told Bangladesh Pratidin that it is not a big issue what the US said about visa policy because every citizen of the country wants a free and fair election as per the Constitution.  “I think there will be no effect in the election for this visa policy. However, those who do not want to participate in the polls; might get problems with the new visa policy.”   

Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury said, “Political parties are defining the matter in many ways. I think they (US) are supporting the way of the election led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They hope for a fair and acceptable election. There is no word about the caretaker government system in the visa policy. So, there is no worrisome about the new policy as this is not a sanction. We all will forget the issue after a few days. I think this will not be a big issue. Two major political parties have shown their maturity about the matter.”

Former Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told Bangladesh Pratidin that is it not the right time to say anything about the new US visa policy for Bangladesh. There is no scope to find out the responsible persons who will create obstacles in the elections. Besides, it will be an injustice to give punishment to other family members for one person’s offence.

Describing five types of the meaning of the US visa policy, international affairs expert and political analyst Prof Imtiaz Ahmed said, “It is very thought that there will be a big change within a short time for this visa policy. There is five meaning of the new visa policy. Firstly, the new visa policy said about spontaneous polls which they earlier used to say participatory polls. Gazipur City can be an example of spontaneous polls where people cast their votes while BNP along with major political parties boycotted it. Secondly, this policy didn’t mention the caretaker election system. Rather it emphasized a free, fair and spontaneous election. Thirdly, the new visa policy didn’t tell direct sanctions. Visa policy will be applicable to all bureaucrats, police, ruling partymen and opposition parties also. I think BNP will also face one kind of pressure as the policy said about obstruction of the polls. And finally, the ruling party will easily leave the power fearing visa policy it is not so easy.”         

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on May 30, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.