EC briefs diplomats on polls preparation

Staff Reporter :
Just two days before the 12th parliamentary poll, the Election Commission on Thursday briefed over 50 diplomats stationed in capital Dhaka about the arrangement of the election and replied to their queries.

Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal briefed the diplomats in a city hotel with the participation of the Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.

However, US Ambassador Peter Hass and Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma were not present on the occasion, but it was said that their representatives were present.

After hailing from the briefing, Masud Bin Momen talked to the journalists to answer some of the questions regarding the meeting.

The Foreign Secretary said that the diplomats did not question much rather they listened to the briefing.

“I had talked some of the diplomats. I asked them why you did not make more questions. They said that they have continuous interaction with the Election Commission. Many of them are updated. So fewer questions were asked,” he said.

In reply to a question whether the diplomats were satisfied with the briefing, he said, “They can say about it. We have placed our position before them. It is difficult to understand by seeing their faces.

It is difficult to say whether they are satisfied individually. But the Election Commission has tried its best.”

“But the voters are under pressure from those who have boycotted the election,” he said.

“If the voters go to the polling centres to cast votes, their efforts will be successful,” Masud Bin Momen said.

The Foreign Secretary said that the diplomats had asked whether the EC was under any pressure. In reply to this question the Chief Election Commissioner said that they were not under any pressure and there was no scope for it.

Regarding the foreign observers, Masud Bin Momen said, “So far 60 foreign observers have arrived. 73 foreign journalists have obtained accreditation. Of them, 17 have arrived today. The foreign observers are continuing to arrive.”