Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 11 (ANI): At least 394 worldwide election observers and 197 international journalists have arrived in Bangladesh to watch the nation’s thirteenth common election and the referendum on the July National Charter, each scheduled to be held on Thursday, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing stated in an announcement on Wednesday.
Of the worldwide observers, 80 signify varied worldwide organisations.
A complete of 240 observers are from bilateral international locations, together with impartial European observers.
Another 51 are people affiliated with totally different international establishments.
‘The variety of worldwide observers for the upcoming polls is greater than double that of the controversial common election held on January 7, 2024. By comparability, the twelfth, eleventh, and tenth common elections had been monitored by 158, 125, and simply 4 worldwide observers, respectively,’ the assertion added.
Key organisations sending observer missions embrace the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), with 28 observers, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, with 27.
The US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) has deployed 19 observers, whereas the National Democratic Institute (NDI) has despatched one.
Other organisations embrace the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with two observers, the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), with two, and the European External Action Service, with one.
In addition to the European Union, observers are arriving from 21 international locations.
These embrace Pakistan (8), Bhutan (2), Sri Lanka (11), Nepal (1), Indonesia (3), and the Philippines (2).
Observers have additionally arrived from Malaysia (6), Jordan (2), Turkiye (13), Iran (3), Georgia (2), and Russia (2).
Other taking part international locations embrace China (3), Japan (4), South Korea (2), Kyrgyzstan (2), Uzbekistan (2), South Africa (2), and Nigeria (4).
Fifty-one observers representing organisations similar to Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, the SAARC Human Rights Foundation, and the Polish Institute of International Affairs will monitor the election of their particular person capacities, in response to info from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Election Commission.
‘We are overwhelmed by the response from international locations and organisations sending election observers,’ stated Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, who’s supporting the coordination of worldwide observer visits.
‘This displays the boldness of the worldwide neighborhood in Bangladesh’s Interim Government to carry a free, truthful, and participatory election.’
She added that past the variety of observers, their high quality was notably encouraging.
‘Many of the observers have intensive expertise and excessive credentials in election monitoring worldwide. This could be very reassuring for us,’ she stated.
Notable high-level contributors embrace former President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan Deki Pema.
Former Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mehmet Vakur Erkul and former Government Deputy Chief Whip within the UK House of Lords, Lord Richard Newby, are additionally among the many contributors.
Election Commission of Malaysia official Ramlan Bir Harun and Iranian parliamentarian Behnam Saeedi, a member of the Presiding Board of the Commission on Foreign Policy and National Security, are additionally a part of the delegation.
More than 2,000 candidates, representing over 50 political events in addition to impartial contenders, are contesting the parliamentary seats.
The common election can be held concurrently with a referendum on the July National Charter. (ANI)