Major foreign observers express satisfaction over polls environment

Officials of major foreign observers including the European Union Election Observation Mission and Commonwealth Election Observer Mission expressed satisfaction with the election environment after visiting polling stations in the capital.

The EU Election Observation Mission said up until noon it observed positive enthusiasm of voters in participating in the polls.

After visiting Dhaka University's Curzon Hall polling centre, Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs said, "Up until noon today, we have seen positive enthusiasm for participation among Bangladeshi citizens."

"I think this really a big day for Bangladesh's democracy," he told reporters earlier at Siddheswari Girls' College at New Bailey Road after observing the opening of the vote casting, UNB reports.

Ijabs said they were all looking forward to having "participatory, credible and trusted" elections in Bangladesh.

The EU mission deployed 90 short-term observers (STOs) to observe the election day proceedings in all 64 administrative districts of the country. The observers observed opening of polling centres, voting, closing, as well as counting of the ballots and the tabulation of results.

"They are reporting on how the polling stations are being opened, how many people participate. And, of course, we are getting the reports from everywhere in the country where all our observers are," Ijabs said.

Ijabs reiterated that the EU mission remains strictly neutral. "We are absolutely neutral. We are not taking part in any political process. We are observing," he said.

According to him, most polling stations observed so far opened on time, while the voting process was continuing peacefully.

He said the mission will release its preliminary report on Bangladesh's national election on Saturday.

Polls reflect commitment to enhancing democratic process: Commonwealth

The Head of the Commonwealth Election Observer Mission and former President of Ghana William Nana Akufo-Addo also expressed satisfaction over the environment of the election and referendum after visiting polling activities at Viqarunnisa Noon School in the capital.

Akufo-Addo said that, so far, the voting environment has been very good and that he is very satisfied.

He noted that he observed peaceful voting at the polling centre and expressed hope that the voting process would remain peaceful across the country.

"Our team is observing the entire process, from the opening of polling stations to the result management process," said the former president of Ghana.

"The inclusion of diaspora voters on this scale, alongside the simultaneous referendum on the constitutional reforms, is noteworthy and reflects a commitment to enhancing the democratic process in Bangladesh," he said, reports UNB.

The Commonwealth deployed its observers across eight divisions two days before polling, where they met local stakeholders and saw pre-polls arrangements. They will issue findings of their preliminary report on 14 February.