12th national election was ‘free, fair and peaceful’, visiting foreign observers say

A group of foreign observers described the 12th national polls in Bangladesh, marked by the boycott of the BNP and other like-minded parties, as well as low voter turnout, as "free, fair and peaceful".

The observers, comprising political analysts, former congressmen, and journalists from the United States, Australia, Norway, Germany, Japan, and Ireland, conducted visits to 20 polling stations in Dhaka and its surrounding areas during the elections on 7 January.

"Considering the overall situation, all the observers present here agree that the 12th National Parliament Election of Bangladesh was held peacefully and with the participation of the common people," said Alexander Barton Gray, CEO of American Global Strategies (AGS), as he conveyed a prepared statement on behalf of the observers during a press briefing held at the national press club on Monday.

"Talking to the voters in all the centres we observed, we found that they did not face any obstacles on their way to vote. There was no intimidation of voters by the candidates or parties participating in the elections. This bode well for democracy and voting rights," he said.

"We have heard of some isolated incidents. Like clashes among the supporters of government candidates, independents' and other parties, which is unexpected. But if we review the overall election situation, those incidents are very insignificant," he added.

At the press conference, the observers said the abstinence campaigns from some political parties and non-participation of a major political party seem to have had some effect on the festive atmosphere of the polls. If all the political parties participated in the elections, the atmosphere would have been more beautiful and joyful.

Among others, former US Congressman Jim Bates, former Member of Parliament of New South Wales Legislative Council, Australia Shaoquett Muselmane, Christopher John Blackburn, communication director of the European Bangladesh Economic Forum of UK, Political Editor of EU Reporter Nicholas Huw Powell from Ireland, social worker, political analyst Volker Uwe Friedrich from Germany, and President of World Peace Organization Anders Nils Henry from Norway.

"People vote in long queues"

Meanwhile, another group of foreign observers said on Monday that voters did not face any obstacles on their way to vote during the 12th national election in Bangladesh.

"We have seen people vote in long queues. The presence of women and new voters caught our attention," Seyed Ali Zahir, member of parliament and former minister and deputy leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, said in a press conference organised by the observers at the national press club.

"There was no intimidation of voters by the candidates or parties participating in the elections. Considering the overall situation, we can state that the election was free, fair and festive," he added.

The observers came to Bangladesh on 5 January to observe the election from countries including the USA, the UK, Japan, Iraq, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Maldives.

They visited around 30 polling stations in and around Dhaka city.

Among others, Javier Piedra from the USA, who is also the former acting assistant administrator for South Asia (USAID) and special correspondent of Asia Times; Emmanuel Finndoro-Obasi, chairman of Conservative Commonwealth Association & director of Africa House London, from UK; Richard Semitego, director, Africa House London, UK; Jun Shindo, president of International Development Cooperation Organisation (IDCO), Japan; Amjad Musthafa, chairman, Association of Democracy & Electoral Link (ADEL), also the former vice president of the Election Commission of Maldives;  Ibrahim Aaidh Mohamed, vice chairman, Association of Democracy & Electoral Link (ADEL), from Maldives; Samim Miya Ansari, president of Muslim Commission, Nepal; Mohamadin Ali, member of Muslim Commission, Nepal; Snehasis Sur, president of Kolkata Press Club, India; Jurapas Pitaksethakarn, international human rights observer, from Thailand;  Talar Mahmood Kareem, Humanitarian Worker Alliance for Humanity, from Iraq.

Earlier, on Sunday evening, just after the voting was completed, different observer groups from across the world faced the media and highly appreciated the 12th national polls.