Not sending observers 'personal matter': Tofail
With more and more international election monitoring groups announcing refusal to send observers to monitor the next general election, minister Tofail Ahmed today termed the decision as their "personal matter".
“It (sending observers) is the personal matter of the respective countries,” Tofail, a veteran Awami League leader and housing and public works minister, told reporters after paying tribute to AL leader Abdur Razzak on his second death anniversary, reports Channel 24, a satellite TV channel.
The minister made the observation on the very day when the United States expressed disappointment over the ongoing political turmoil centering the parliamentary polls and said it would not send observers to oversee the national election.
Earlier, the European Union and the Commonwealth also refused to send their observers to oversee the polls citing absence of "congenial atmosphere" in Bangladesh.
“Due to constitutional obligation, the election has to be held on January 5,” Tofail insisted, pointing out the fact that as per the constitution, electoral proceedings will have to be completed within January 24.
“In other countries of the world, elections held with the ruling party in power. But it is our misfortune that there is an attempt to create an abnormal situation in the country with an unconstitutional demand,” the TV channel quoted the seasoned leader as saying.
The upcoming election drew huge flak as 154 candidates, mostly backed by the ruling Awami League among a total of 300, have already been elected unopposed due to withdrawal of nominations from opposition candidates.
While the AL has shown its intent to go forward with the election, the BNP-led 18-party opposition combine has strongly refused to join the polls, enforcing countrywide blockades of roads, rail and waterways in several phases.
Over 50 people have died in the recent spate of violence, with numerous more including children injured.
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