TIB calls for revoking EC's 'imprudent decision' to bear accommodation, meal costs of foreign observers

The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has criticised the Election Commission's decision to bear the accommodation and meal expenses of foreign election observers, stating that it is doing so "while continuing authoritarian practices that are destructive to Bangladesh's electoral system".

In a statement today (6 January), the TIB described the commission's call as "imprudent, discriminatory, and contrary to impartial observation due to conflicts of interest."

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said in the statement, referring to media reports, "On the flimsy pretext that the vocal presence of foreign observers will enhance the acceptability of the election at national and international levels, the Election Commission's imprudent decision to bear their accommodation and meal costs is bound to be counterproductive."

Moreover, he said, "We are astonished that the Election Commission could not realize that this decision is discriminatory. If the Commission can bear the accommodation and meal costs of foreign observers, why would the same arrangement not apply to domestic observers as well? How will the Election Commission answer this question?"

Furthermore, the statement reads, "if this decision is implemented, on the one hand those receiving such facilities will face the risk of being perceived as hired agents; on the other hand, serious doubts remain as to whether they will be able to evaluate the election independently and impartially, free from conflicts of interest, while enjoying the hospitality of the Election Commission."

It must be remembered that observers also assess the role of the Election Commission itself, the statement said, adding that the question will therefore remain as to how neutrally and free from conflicts of interest they can carry out this task while under the commission's own hospitality.

Iftekharuzzaman further said, "Our question to the foreign observers is: on what grounds would they wish to take on such a responsibility financed by the Election Commission or the Government of Bangladesh? Will they, by accepting such hospitality, be able – considering ethical standards and conflicts of interest – to conduct an objective, unbiased, and conflict-free assessment of the Election Commission and the election process as a whole?

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"We hope that they will refrain from accepting such hospitality from the Election Commission and will carry out their duties accordingly."

Noting that there was no need, prior to or in 2008, to waste state funds in order to present elections as credible, whereas in 2018 and 2024 it was deemed necessary to provide facilities to foreigners, the TIB executive director said the Election Commission must first engage in self-reflection on this issue.

"To what extent were the deposed government's efforts to make elections credible by providing facilities to foreign observers successful? We hope the current Election Commission will not fail to recognise that reality."

Similarly, following the July Uprising, the people's strong expectation for a free, fair, and acceptable election has emerged, and the TIB said it trusts that the Election Commission will refrain from taking any steps that could create controversy around the election.