Another team of international observers to arrive on 28 July: EMF
The team will consist of six members representing the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Korea, Japan, and China
A second team of international observers will visit Bangladesh on 28 July to evaluate the pre-election situation and political environment of the country at the invitation of the Election Monitoring Forum (EMF), an election observer platform in Bangladesh.
The team will consist of six members representing the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Korea, Japan, and China. They will prepare a report on the upcoming national election in the country.
At a press conference on Monday held at the National Press Club, EMF Chairman Professor Mohammad Abed Ali said the first team of international observers from four countries including Germany, Nepal, India and Bhutan visited Bangladesh on 24 February.
They exchanged views with leaders of several political parties and civil society representatives, as well as the Bangladesh Election Commission, he said.
The second team of observers will visit the country in continuation of this, he added.
According to the EMF, the members of the second team of international observers are US political analyst Terry L Isley, European Union political affairs journalist Nick Paul representing Ireland, South Korean human rights activist Park Chung Chang, Japanese social activist Yusuki Sugu, UK author and researcher Michael John Sheriff, and Chinese political analyst Andy Lin.
The team will be under the leadership of Nick Paul, a senior journalist specialising in European Union political affairs from Ireland.
During their visit, the delegation will engage in a civil dialogue focused on assessing the pre-election situation and the overall political environment of Bangladesh on 29 July.
On 30 and 31 July, the team will exchange views with the chief election commissioner and other commissioners.
The observers will also hold meetings with key government figures, including the law minister, home minister, foreign minister, as well as the minister of information and broadcasting.
Moreover, they are scheduled to meet with central leaders from various political parties, including the Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Front, Zaker Party, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Islami Oikyo Jote.
Following this, the third team of international observers is set to visit Bangladesh on 15 September. This team will consist of representatives from South Asian countries, including Maldives, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, as per the EMF.