BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday said the European Union (EU) is preparing to send election observers ahead of the upcoming national elections scheduled for February.
“EU representatives expressed their expectation that the polls will be transparent, acceptable, and participatory,” the BNP leader said.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir held a meeting with an EU delegation led by Ambassador Charles Whiteley at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, around 11 am on Wednesday (October 8).
Following the meeting, Amir Khosru briefed journalists. He said the European Union is interested in sending observers to Bangladesh’s upcoming elections. The EU has decided to deploy an observer mission in response to a formal request from the interim government and the Election Commission. “They expect that transparency will be ensured in the election,” he added.
Amir Khosru further said: “We have nothing to complain about to foreigners. What will happen in Bangladesh will be decided by its people. However, the European Union has always played a positive role in Bangladesh’s electoral process, and this time they want to continue doing so.”
He also noted that the EU wants to maintain its long-standing trade relations with Bangladesh. In addition, it aims to help institutionalise democracy, make parliament more effective, and strengthen the independence of democratic institutions in the country.
The BNP and EU delegation discussed the electoral process, public expectations, the democratic atmosphere, and strengthening of the parliamentary system in detail.
The party’s Standing Committee members Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, along with Organising Secretary Shama Obaid, were also present at the meeting.
When asked about the recent meeting between several foreign diplomats and Awami League leader Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Amir Khosru said: “Who meets whom and where is their personal matter. We have no comment on that.”