EU to send large observer mission for national election: Nazrul Islam Khan

The European Union has decided to send a large observer mission for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, said BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.

He shared the information with reporters on Tuesday after a meeting between BNP acting chairman Tareq Rahman and an EU delegation at the party’s Gulshan office.

Nazrul Islam Khan said the EU plays an important role in Bangladesh’s political landscape and wants to observe the election in a comprehensive manner. He said discussions covered election-related issues, post-election development planning and the BNP’s potential role in the electoral process.

He said Tareq Rahman told the EU representatives that the demand to hold the election within a set timeframe had originally come from the BNP, and that the party is committed to a free and peaceful election. After being deprived of voting rights for a long time, people are now eager to cast their votes, he added.

Nazrul Islam Khan said the BNP has completed its preparations to participate in the election and that labour rights and development issues were also discussed with the EU. He claimed significant initiatives on labour laws and workers’ welfare had been taken during previous BNP governments.

The meeting also expressed gratitude for EU development assistance and voiced expectations of continued cooperation in the future.