EC briefs diplomats on election, referendum

The Election Commission is holding a briefing today (25 January) for diplomats from foreign missions in Bangladesh on the upcoming general election and the July Charter referendum, to be held simultaneously on 12 February.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and the four other election commissioners were present at the session, held at a hotel in Dhaka.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said 83 foreign observer organisations have been invited to monitor the election, with 36 confirmed, alongside interest from 50 foreign journalists and 78 observers.

Photo: Courtesy

"Those we invited will stay at the Intercontinental. Around 58 EU observers are expected. The total could go to 300," he added.

EC Public Relations Director Md Ruhul Amin Mollik said the briefing at The Westin Dhaka is not open to the media.

However, a follow-up session will be held at the EC Secretariat in Agargaon, he added.

Diplomats, heads of missions and representatives of international organisations based in Dhaka are attending the briefing and being briefed on measures taken to ensure a free, fair and credible electio, he said.

Election campaigning, which began on 22 January, will continue until 10 February, with voting scheduled for Thursday, 12 February, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Earlier, foreign media, journalists, and election observers interested in monitoring the polls had until 17 January to submit applications to the EC.