EU concludes pre-election assessment mission

Staff Reporter  :
After staying 15 days in Bangladesh, the European Union Election Exploratory Mission, consisting of six EU members, on Thursday wrapped up their mission for preliminary assessment of pre-election environment in the country.

They will now submit their findings to the Brussels to take decision whether the European Union will send observers or not to the upcoming general elections slated for 2024.

They held meetings with government representatives, election stakeholders, international community representatives, personnel from various law enforcement agencies responsible for maintaining law and order, political leaders, civil society, and media representatives, etc.

During their assignment in Dhaka, the EU Mission observed the turbulent political landscape which was mired in political violence and confrontation between the ruling Awami League and the Opposition BNP and law enforces across the country, including the capital when BNP carried out their peaceful road march.

When the mission representatives were holding meetings in the diplomatic zone, the outside environment was chaotic as independent candidate for the Dhaka-17 by-election Hero Alom was thrashed by reportedly ruling party men.

They had also observed the protests of the pro-BNP lawyers at the Supreme Court premises when the European Union’s election exploratory mission were holding meeting with the Attorney General AM Amin Uddin.

They chanted various slogans including ‘no more Hasina’, ‘We want democracy’, ‘we want caretaker’ and ‘we want voting rights’. The mission representatives while leaving the premises took photos and videos of the protest.