Bangladesh News

A six-member European Union (EU) Election Observation Exploratory Mission arrived in Dhaka yesterday to assess the situation before a fully-fledged team of observers are sent for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

After their report is submitted to the European Commission headquarters, the commission will decide on sending a full observation team, said Andrew Bruce, the election expert of EU External Affairs Department who is leading the mission.

The mission will hold meetings with ruling and opposition political parties, Election Commission (EC), civil society members and journalists during its 10-day visit.

Bruce told journalists that the delegates would study voter registrations, delimitation of constituencies and the electoral complaint mechanism. The team comprises security, legal and logistic experts.

As part of its programme, the mission yesterday met acting Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain at the foreign ministry.

The mission’s visit began when the National Democratic Institute (NDI) delegation gave a report following a four-day discussion with different political parties, Election Commission (EC) and civil society members.