76 observers from foreign missions to monitor Dhaka, Chittagong elections
A total of 76 foreign observers from 16 foreign diplomatic missions, the UN, electoral and right organisations based in Dhaka will observe today's city corporation polls in Dhaka and Chittagong.
According to the Election Commission sources, the foreign observers and their 73 local interpreters have received observer cards from the EC.
Diplomatic and EC sources said this time around a large number of foreign polls observers are covering the local elections in the two major cities, which is a significant move. Some ambassadors and heads of missions are also likely to visit some polling centres in the capital.
US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat will visit the Banani Bidyaniketan polling centre this morning.
All these missions and organisations did not observe the January 5 parliamentary election last year as it was boycotted by the major political parties, including the BNP.
According to the EC list of foreign observers, the highest 49 cards were issued to the US embassy in Dhaka. They received 25 cards for foreign observers and 24 for local interpreters.
The British High Commission got 31 cards, including 16 for foreign observers.
Other missions and organisations who received observer cards are European Union, High Commission of Canada, embassies of Japan, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany, UNDP, Democracy International, Asia Foundation, NDI Bangladesh, World Human Rights Service Council and International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, several diplomats said though they have no plan for a full-scale monitoring of the polls, they will keep their eyes on the elections.
The foreign missions will watch the polls activities through their internal mechanism and want to see free, fair and transparent elections, they added.
Seeking anonymity, a diplomat said, “Off course we will watch the polls, but it will be informal.”
“Remember that the missions will send their reports to their respective headquarters after the elections,” he added.
Earlier, the UN, the US, European Union, the UK and Japan urged all sides to ensure free and fair polls.
In a Twitter post, US Ambassador Bernicat said, “Fair, free and credible elections are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Hope tomorrow's [today's] elections are an example of that spirit.”
British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert Gibson tweeted, “Hope tomorrow's [today's] election in Dhaka and Chittagong take place without violence or intimidation and allows opportunity for democratic choice.”