EC-EU discuss deploying poll observers

Staff Reporter  :
The Election Commission (EC) has said that the European Union can send as many observers as they want for the upcoming national parliamentary election, but the observers have to be ‘impartial’
On the other hand, the visiting European Union (EU) delegation said that the final decision on deploying observers will be determined based on the reports and recommendations generated by the EU’s pre-election observation mission.

“We have come to Bangladesh for a two-week visit upon the invitation of the government. We will observe the pre-election situation and send a report to our headquarters. Based on that, a decision will be made regarding whether the European Union will send an observer mission to the upcoming elections or not,” the head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM), Riccardo Serri said.

He made the remarks while talking to the journalists after holding a meeting between the Election Commission and the EU delegation at the EC Bhaban on Tuesday.
The EC side was headed by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and some other senior officials, while Riccardo Serri led the five-member EU team.
Following the meeting, EC’s Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath told the journalists “The EU delegation inquired about their preparations for the twelfth general elections. They have also
asked about the capacity of the EC to conduct fair polls. They have been satisfied,” he said.

He also said that they inquired about matters such as voters, polling centers, observer deployment, and the use of CCTV cameras.
Debnath also mentioned that a technical team from the EU is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Election Commission on either the 18th or 19th of this month.
Additionally, discussions with election management officials are planned. The Election Commission expressed satisfaction with the inquiries raised by the EU delegation and provided comprehensive responses.

“The Commission has satisfied them with their inquiries, and they have been satisfied,” he said.
Regarding sending election observers, Debnath stated, “It would be good if their applications arrive by September. There are some formalities involved, and clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs is required. The EU can send impartial observers as they please. There is no objection from the Election Commission.”
The EC informed the EU delegation that they have already held 911 elections and they have expressed satisfaction. They will plan to hold detailed discussions on these matters, he said.
When asked about whether the delegation asked about election time government, Debnath, “They did not ask us about bringing the political parties in election. They have come to know about the number of voters.”