Journalists have encouraged the visiting European Union delegation to send observers during the imminent 12th National Parliament election in Bangladesh.
The journalists also assured the EU delegation that the media in Bangladesh will play a role in ensuring a fair election.
The Election Exploratory Mission (ExM) from the EU on Monday held two separate meetings with the journalists in Bangladesh at the EU embassy in Dhaka. One meeting was held with the editors of some daily news newspapers and another meeting was held with some representatives of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).
Besides, the EU delegation also held a separate meeting with a five-member civil society group including media expert, social activist and NGO personalities on Monday afternoon.
At the meeting with the diplomatic correspondents, the EU delegation wanted to know about professional challenges the media might face while covering the next general election in Bangladesh.
The reporters shared their experiences in covering elections in the past and challenges that journalists in remote areas might face.
During the discussion, a reporter wanted to know why Jamaat was invited for discussion considering the European Parliament in a resolution in 2014 urged BNP to “cut ties” with Jamaat and said that political parties associated with “terrorist acts” should be banned.
At the meeting the reporters encouraged the delegation to support sending observers regardless of what the next election may look like.
The daily Jugantor Chief of Correspondents and former DCAB President Masud Karim, Channel i special correspondent Pantho Rahman, Jamuna Television special correspondent Mahfuz Mishu, UNB special correspondent AKM Moinuddin and Channel 24 senior reporter Morshed Hassib Hasan were present at the meeting.
Before the meeting with diplomatic reporters, the EU delegation members had a separate meeting with four editors at the same venue.
At the one-hour long meeting with the editors Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said, "The EU delegation asked us about press freedom in Bangladesh. Whether we are being able to maintain our professional duties or not."
"We also told them that media will play a role in ensuring a fair election," he added.
During the meeting, daily New Age editor Nurul Kabir urged the EU team to submit a report that would be satisfactory to the people of Bangladesh.
He said, "We said we appreciate them coming over to ensure a fair election in Bangladesh."
"This is our fight, and we have to do it ourselves," Nurul Kabir said.
Alongside Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Nurul Habir, The Business Standard Editor Inam Ahmed, and Head of English version (Web) of Prothom Alo Ayesha Kabir attended the meeting with the EU team that started at 10:30am.
A six-member delegation led by Riccardo Chelleri has been staying in Dhaka on a 16-day visit. The delegation so far held over 70 separate meetings, including with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, several ministers, different political parties, Election Commission, National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh Police, Civil Society personnel and journalists.
The EU delegation will be in Bangladesh till July 23 to assess the situation.
A technical team of the mission will further discuss the relevant issues with the Election Commission (EC) on July 18,19.
The main objective of the Election Exploratory Mission is to assess the “advisability, usefulness and feasibility” of a possible EU Election Observation Mission for the upcoming parliamentary election, according to the EU Mission in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, the EU delegation also held another meeting with a five-member civil society group including media experts, social activists and NGO personalities on Monday afternoon.
One of the five members, Mir Masrur Zaman, a media expert, said, "There is a peaceful situation in the country at the moment, so I am of the opinion that the EU can easily send observers."
Among others, Jimi Amir, project manager at DW Academy; Mohsin Ali, executive director, wave foundation also attended the meeting.