131 foreign observers apply to EC for permission to monitor polls
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
About 131 foreign election observers have applied to the Election Commission (EC) for permission to monitor the city-corporation and municipal polls on August 4, seen as a test case for series of planned elections to democratic transition, reports UNB.
The overseas observers, particularly diplomats and mission staff from the embassies and high commissions, will oversee the local-body polls, which would help in holding the forthcoming national polls in a free, fair and credible manner.
Competent sources said an eight-member team from the European Union would work in Khulna and Rajshahi city corporation areas and Manikganj Pourasava while a three-man one from the German Embassy work in Sylhet city corporation.
Four observers from Swedish Embassy will oversee Sreepur and Fulbaria pourasava elections and two observers from Danish Embassy will oversee Fulbaria Pourasava.
The British High Commission will post 11 observers while seven from the French Embassy would monitor the polls.
Seven observers from National Democratic Institute (NDI) of America would work mainly in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna city corporation areas during the important local-body polls, being held under the present interim regime following rigorous spadework done to create a 'level playing field.'
Eleven observers from the International Republican Institute (IRI), three from the Netherlands Embassy, two from Turkey's mission and one from Italy's would see the voting fray.
And a strong band of some 5,500 domestic observers will put up a syndicated and separate watch over the test run to the domain of elections, which culminates in the general election planned for December in the process of transition to democracy.
Of them, Election Working Group, a coalition of 33 NGOs, had applied for fielding 3,075 poll watchdogs.
The overseas observers, particularly diplomats and mission staff from the embassies and high commissions, will oversee the local-body polls, which would help in holding the forthcoming national polls in a free, fair and credible manner.
Competent sources said an eight-member team from the European Union would work in Khulna and Rajshahi city corporation areas and Manikganj Pourasava while a three-man one from the German Embassy work in Sylhet city corporation.
Four observers from Swedish Embassy will oversee Sreepur and Fulbaria pourasava elections and two observers from Danish Embassy will oversee Fulbaria Pourasava.
The British High Commission will post 11 observers while seven from the French Embassy would monitor the polls.
Seven observers from National Democratic Institute (NDI) of America would work mainly in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna city corporation areas during the important local-body polls, being held under the present interim regime following rigorous spadework done to create a 'level playing field.'
Eleven observers from the International Republican Institute (IRI), three from the Netherlands Embassy, two from Turkey's mission and one from Italy's would see the voting fray.
And a strong band of some 5,500 domestic observers will put up a syndicated and separate watch over the test run to the domain of elections, which culminates in the general election planned for December in the process of transition to democracy.
Of them, Election Working Group, a coalition of 33 NGOs, had applied for fielding 3,075 poll watchdogs.