C'wealth ready to assist BD in polls

The Commonwealth is ready to extend any form of assistance to Bangladesh in holding the upcoming 13th national parliament elections, Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Sunday, reports BSS.

Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey conveyed this assurance to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin during a meeting at the Election Commission headquarters in the capital's Agargaon. Botchwey led a six-member delegation to the talks.

Briefing the media after the meeting, the EC senior secretary said, "The Commonwealth secretary general specifically told us that there are 56 member countries in the Commonwealth, and they are ready to provide any assistance if we request it."

He added, "The secretary general also expressed satisfaction after knowing that the United Kingdom is already supporting our election process."