United Nations Radio

There are no insurmountable obstacles to ushering in a better, brighter, more sustainable democracy in Bangladesh after the elections in December.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a press conference in Dhaka that the UN stands ready to help.

"I have informed the Government authorities and the political parties that the UN will dispatch a small team of highly capable and prominent individuals, who will visit in the coming weeks to assess the conduct of the election and report to me.

It is in the world's -- and your -- best interest to see Bangladesh achieve its full potential for democratic development through free and credible elections."

Secretary-General Ban says the December ballot is a historic opportunity and now is the moment to stand against the polarization and violence that have characterized past elections.

He concludes that what is needed now is to put the larger interests of the nation above other interests.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration: 1'01")