EU preparing to send observer mission for upcoming polls: Khasru
He said the decision to send the observer team was made in response to a formal request from the interim government and the Election Commission
The European Union (EU) is preparing to send an election observer mission to Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming national election, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (8 October).
The decision to send the observer team was made in response to a formal request from the interim government and the Election Commission, Khasru told reporters after a meeting with EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller at the BNP chairperson's political office in Gulshan.
The EU expects that the election will be transparent, credible, and participatory, Khasru added.
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On the meeting, Khasru said the discussion mainly centred on the general election.
"Everyone is showing interest and waiting for the polls expected in the first half of February. There was a long discussion about the electoral process. The EU is interested in sending observers to Bangladesh's upcoming elections. They have decided to send an observer team following formal invitations from the interim government and the Election Commission. They expect the election will be transparent."
Khasru added, "We have nothing to complain to foreigners about. What happens in Bangladesh will be decided by its people. However, the EU has always played a positive role in Bangladesh's electoral process and wants to continue doing so."
He continued, "The EU wants to maintain its longstanding trade relations with Bangladesh. Alongside that, they wish to help institutionalise democracy, make parliament more effective, and strengthen the independence of democratic institutions."
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the electoral process, public expectations, the democratic environment, and measures to strengthen the parliamentary system.
When asked about a recent meeting between several foreign diplomats and Awami League leader Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Khasru said, "Who meets whom and where is their personal matter. We have no comment on that."
