EC expects EU support for making polls free, fair

The Election Commission expects the support of the European Union in ensuring that the next general elections are free, fair, participatory, and credible, Chief Election Commission (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said in a letter to the 27-nation bloc.

The CEC wrote to the EU in response to its letter confirming that it would not send a full-fledged observation mission for the January 2024 parliamentary polls.

He also assured the EU that the Election Commission (EC) would do its utmost to ensure that the polls are free, fair, participatory, and credible.

"Nevertheless, observation by local and foreign observers may help add credence to the status of the fairness of the election so as to make that credible at home and abroad," he said in the letter dated 23 September.

"Be that as it may, I believe the European Union will nonetheless continue to support, in whatever way deemed expedient, our efforts in making the ensuing general parliamentary elections free, fair, participatory and credible," the letter added.

Confirming the issue of sending the letter yesterday, Election Commissioner Ahsan Habib Khan told reporters that the CEC has replied to the letter sent by the European Union.

He told reporters in his office in the election building, "We hope that the European Union will send observers, even if on a small scale. The more observers there are, the more transparent the election will be."

The EU had communicated its decision to the EC through a letter to the CEC on Wednesday.

"Based on the recommendations of the exploratory mission – and taking into consideration the budget for EU Election Observation Missions for 2023/2024 – High Representative Josep Borrell has decided not to deploy a fully-fledged EU Election Observation Mission," read the EU letter.

Visa policy is a matter for two govts

Election Commissioner Ahsan stated that visa restrictions affecting individuals involved in obstructing free, fair, and acceptable parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, as well as their families, are a matter for both governments.

"The country imposing the policy and the country for which it is being applied are responsible for dealing with the matter," he said while replying to a question from journalists.

"We will continue with our constitutional responsibility, and you will witness whether we are executing our tasks effectively or not. You will observe whether we are fulfilling 100% of the responsibilities within our purview," he added.

According to media reports, the United States has already implemented that visa policy for Bangladeshis. It is said that more than 300 people are on the list.

EC meeting again in October

The EC will convene a meeting with former election commissioners and election officials on 4 October.  

Ahsan said in a written statement that the commission is going to organise a workshop on "Effective Voting Candidates and the Role of Polling Agents". 

Former chief election commissioners, election commissioners, former senior election commission officers, media personalities, and university professors will participate in this workshop.

Before this, the EC had heard various suggestions by meeting with people from various sections.