Highlighting the importance of a participatory nature of election, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh Ivars Ijabs on Tuesday said the general atmosphere and expectations are very hopeful with a positive electoral environment in place.
“We have emphasised the participatory nature of the electoral process which is very much desirable,” he told reporters, stressing the importance of inclusion of all communities, minorities and also participation of women in the electoral process.
He said most of their interlocutors have emphasised that there should be a new page in the history of Bangladesh and its democracy. “I would say the electoral environment is very positive. The general atmosphere is very hopeful,” Ijabs said.
He, however, said there are many issues that they have discussed and reiterated that they remain neutral without getting involved in any political process. “We are here not to comment on Bangladesh’s politics. We are here to check and observe the process.”
In terms of the security situation, the chief observer said their overall perception is that the situation is still under control of the authorities.
They deployed 90 short-term observers (STOs) to observe the election day proceedings in all 64 administrative districts of the country.
The short-term observers will observe opening of polling centres, voting, closing, as well as counting of the ballots and the tabulation of results.
“The short-term observers will be present in cities, towns and villages in almost every constituency. Their observations and reports throughout the day will be a critical element of our impartial and fact-based assessment of these historic elections,” Ijabs told reporters.
With a total of 200 observers deployed across the country, he said they are contributing to the transparency of these historic elections.
“This large and dedicated mission attests to the European Union’s unwavering commitment to the democratic governance of Bangladesh,” said the chief observer.
The deployment of short-term observers builds on the work of 56 long-term observers, who have been in Bangladesh since mid-January, observing the pre-election environment, including preparations by the election administration, campaign activities, voter education efforts, and who have engaged with electoral stakeholders across the political and civil society spectrum.
A delegation of Members of the European Parliament is further reinforcing the mission, and 35 locally recruited short-term observers from the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland are also joining the mission.
At full strength, the EU EOM will comprise more than 200 observers, drawn from all 27 EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
The EU EOM will present its preliminary findings in a statement at a press conference, on February 14, in Dhaka.
Security, voter participation, level playing field: EU’s 3 areas of focus in election
A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented to the authorities after the completion of the entire electoral process. Both documents will be public and will be made available on the Mission’s website.
The EU EOM is bound by a code of conduct, which requires strict neutrality and non-interference.
It undertakes its work in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, endorsed under UN auspices in 2005.