Bangladesh’s Election Commission has said that nearly 500 foreign observers and journalists are expected to arrive in the country to monitor the 13th National Parliament Election and the referendum scheduled for February 12.
Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhter Ahmed made the remarks at a press briefing held at the Nirbachan Commission Bhaban in Agargaon on Thursday.
He said the commission had invited 83 observers from various international organisations, adding that 36 had so far confirmed their participation, while five organisations had declined the invitation. Responses from several other organisations are still pending.
According to Akhter Ahmed, a total of 78 foreign observers and 50 foreign journalists have already expressed interest in travelling to Bangladesh to oversee the election process.
He said the Election Commission would set up a dedicated help desk at the airport to assist foreign observers and journalists. Most of them are expected to stay at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka, where a separate help desk and a media cell will also be established.
“The Election Commission will coordinate their activities at different points,” Akhter Ahmed said.
He added that 56 representatives from the European Union are currently in Dhaka, with the number expected to rise gradually to nearly 300 in phases.
The EC senior secretary said the commission had invited two observers from the Commonwealth Secretariat, but around 10 members were now expected to arrive. Similarly, although two observers were initially invited from Turkey, the final number could increase to nine.
He also said arrangements would be made to provide visa-on-arrival facilities for foreign observers and journalists travelling from countries where Bangladesh does not have visa services or diplomatic missions.
The presence of international observers and journalists is expected to draw significant global attention to the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum.
