EU team optimistic of fair polls

A visiting European parliamentary delegation on expressed their hope on Sunday that the next national election in Bangladesh would be held in a free and fair manner, reports UNB.

"I'm confident that the coming election will be free and fair," said Rupert Matthews, Conservative Member of the European Parliament, sharing his thoughts after talking to political leaders of Bangladesh.

While interacting with media at a city hotel, he said the European Parliament believes that Bangladesh is well prepared to handle the election on its own.

Matthews said the European Union (EU) parliament believes that Bangladesh is capable to follow its own rules to conduct a free and fair election. Therefore, he added, they do not need to send observers.

He said the delegation had talks with a wide range of people of Bangladesh, including government officials and politicians and common people.

Member of the Portuguese Parliament Joao Pedro Guimaraes Goncalves said the visit removed the wrong ideas about Bangladesh they had.