Foreign diplomats satisfied with election preparations: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said diplomats from different countries have expressed satisfaction with the Election Commission’s overall preparations for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum.

The Election Commission briefed diplomats on the election and referendum preparations at a city hotel on Sunday (January 25).

The briefing was attended by the CEC along with other election commissioners. Diplomats from various countries, as well as representatives of the United Nations and the European Union (EU), took part in the session.

The commission outlined the progress of election arrangements, key preparations and its overall plan for conducting the polls.

Speaking after the briefing, the CEC said the diplomats praised the commission’s initiatives and expressed satisfaction with the steps taken so far.

Earlier, Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the commission had invited 83 foreign observer organisations to monitor the election, of which 36 have confirmed their participation. Around 50 foreign journalists and 78 individual foreign observers have also expressed interest in covering or observing the polls.

He said the EU observer mission could include around 58 members and that the total number of foreign observers and journalists may approach 300. Those invited will be accommodated at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a circular stating that, based on recommendations from the Election Commission, visa fees for foreign election observers will be waived.

The circular also said that foreign military and security personnel will require prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs to enter Bangladesh.