EU for free, inclusive polls in Bangladesh

The European Union wants a free, fair and inclusive election in the country scheduled to be held at the end of this year.

“European Union wants a credible, participatory and transparent election in Bangladesh,” said EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Rensje Teerink after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and other commissioners at the EC secretariat yesterday.

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“We hope that all parties will join the polls as participation of all parties in the election is important for the credibility of the election.”

An EU delegation went to the EC secretariat around noon.

After the meeting, Teerink said they informed the EC that they would send a small election expert team in November.

They will stay here for few weeks and observe the electoral process, political situation of the country and election preparation, she said.

EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told journalists that the schedule for the next parliamentary polls would be announced in the first week of November.

In the meeting, the CEC informed the EC delegation about the election schedule, he said.

Replying to a question, the secretary said the delegation was assured by the EC that all necessary measures would be taken to hold a free and fair election.

The team also inquired about EVM, EC manpower, election observers, law enforcement, voting system for the expatriates and voters' list, he said in reply to another query.

Four election commissioners, chief election commissioner and the secretary were present during the meeting with the EU delegation of seven countries' ambassadors, said AKM Majharul Islam, personal secretary to the CEC.