Three international organisations have already expressed their interest to observe the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh, said the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday.
The international organisations are European Union (EU), Commonwealth and NDI (National Democratic Institute).
Among these election observers, the pre-election assessment mission of the Commonwealth will hold a meeting with the EC on November 19. Besides, pre-election evaluation teams from two other organisations have already arrived in Bangladesh and held meetings with the EC.
Talking to reporters, Secretary of the EC Secretariat Jahangir Alam said the election observers can apply for observing the upcoming 12th nation elections till November 21 through the designated cell of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Detailed information will be available later on how many election observers will come this time.
BSS adds: The 12th parliament election's schedule is likely to be announced in the first half of the current month as the Election Commission (EC) finds the prevailing situation favorable to go ahead with election preparation.
"Favorable environment exists for announcement of the 12th parliament elections scheduled in the first half of the current month. It is a tradition to pay a courtesy call on President before announcement of polls schedule and the EC has a schedule to do so tomorrow (Thursday)," said Election Commission (EC) secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Wednesday.
During the call on, the EC will apprise the President of the election preparations, he said, adding that the EC will listen whether there are any advices and instructions from the President.
"It is absolutely the EC's jurisdiction to announce polls schedule," he told
journalists at 'Nirbachan Bhaban' at Agargaon.
Jahangir Alam said EC's preparation is now at final state as it is telling time and again that it is determined to hold the next national election within the constitutional timeframe. The polls will be held in the last week of December, 2023 or the first week of January next year, he added.
Replying to a question about foreign election observers, the EC secretary
said so far three foreign organizations have confirmed them (EC) through e-
mail. The organizations include - one from the USA that has already conducted
pre-assessment, he said, adding that recently a Commonwealth team seeks
appointment of the EC.
He said foreign observer organizations can still apply through Bangladesh
foreign ministry's selected cell as the last date for application is November
21. "Actual number of foreign observers can be known after that date," he
added.
Replying to another question, he said election materials will be sent to
district level in phases.
The EC secretary said adequate number of law enforcers will be deployed in
the field level during the election and the home ministry will issue circular
in this regard so that voters can cast their votes freely and in a fair
manner.
