Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), Ivars Ijabs, on Thursday described the start of Bangladesh’s national election and referendum as a significant moment for democracy, as EU monitors began countrywide observation.
“I think this is a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy,” he told reporters at Siddheswari Girls’ College on New Bailey Road after observing the opening of voting.
Ijabs said the mission is looking forward to “participatory, credible and trusted” elections in Bangladesh. He added that EU observers will continue monitoring the elections across the country, including the vote counting process at the end of the day.
He also said he would provide further updates at 12pm after visiting Curzon Hall, Dhaka University.
The EU EOM has deployed 90 short-term observers (STOs) to monitor election-day proceedings in all 64 administrative districts. The observers are tasked with monitoring the opening of polling centres, voting and closing, as well as the counting of ballots and 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 said.
With a total of 200 observers deployed across the country, he said their presence contributes to the transparency of these historic polls.
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