Foreign observer issue entirely EC's matter, says Adviser Touhid

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said it is entirely on the Election Commission whether Indian observers will be allowed if they express willingness to send theirs  to monitor the next national election, scheduled to be held in February next year.

"It is entirely an issue of the Election Commission. We have no role to play in this regard," he said when a reporter wanted to know whether Indian observers will be allowed in the next national election if they are willing to come.  

Talking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossain said they will not extend any assistance to the observers until the EC asks for any support.

He said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus clearly mentioned how the election will be held and the rest depends on the Election Commission.

Responding to a question, Hossain said Bangladesh does not find it necessary to send election observers to Myanmar. "The first question is why we need to send observers there. This is their internal matter."

CEC clarifies policy regarding election observers

He also asked the journalists to notice the reaction of Thailand.

"We want it to be free and credible, but it's not going to be the case, we know that," Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said late Tuesday. "My feeling is that we won't be in a position to recognise the elections."