EU for credible peaceful, participatory polls; CEC assures

The European Union wants to see the 12th parliamentary election to be  democratic, acceptable, peaceful, and participatory. The Election Commission has also assured of organising such a fair election on 7 January.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal discussed the polls preparations with a delegation of EU ambassadors during a meeting at the Agargaon Election Bhaban on Wednesday.

Led by Charles Whiteley, EU ambassador to Bangladesh, heads of missions of Sweden, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, France, and Germany were present in this meeting.

Charles Whiteley said the EU is a "friend and partner" of Bangladesh and hopes to see a "democratic, credible, peaceful, and participatory election".

Whiteley said the EU had a very extensive meeting with the chief election commissioner and his team about the preparations for the elections. "We had a very wide range of exchanges in preparation for the election."

When asked about discussion on the ongoing political situation, Whiteley said, "There was no discussion about the political environment in Bangladesh."

Later, the CEC talked to reporters and said he had briefed the EU team on the Election Commission's ongoing efforts to ensure a free, fair, peaceful, and credible election.

"As we did in the past," the CEC stated, "we clearly informed the EU team that we are continuing our best efforts to ensure that the upcoming election will be free, fair, peaceful, and credible."

He said that the Commission had already made significant progress in preparations for the parliamentary election.

However, he acknowledged that the country's main opposition BNP, and its allies had refused to participate in the election, alleging that it would be rigged by the ruling Awami League.

The CEC reiterated that the Election Commission was constitutionally obligated to hold the election within the stipulated time. "I believe that the EU delegation understood our limitations," he remarked. 

"If there is any dispute or division within the political arena, we cannot intervene in it."