EC takes steps for foreign election observers
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
The Election Commission (EC) is taking special steps for the foreign election observers by facilitating visa processing alongside amending the guidelines for them to ensure free, fair and acceptable elections in the country, reports UNB.
The EC has fixed some outlines about the guidelines, accreditation and grant of visas for foreign election observers as some organisations like the NDI and IRI have contacted the commission about election observation and also enquired about formalities regarding obtaining visas and other related matters.
Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda had chaired a high-profile meeting in connection with the election observation by foreign observers on October 28 in the EC conference room, in preparation for dealing with the armies of poll monitors.
Election Commissioners M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, EC secretary M Humaun Kabir, Foreign Affairs secretary Md Towhid Hossain, Information secretary Jamil Osman and Home Affairs additional secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid were present, among others, at the meeting.
There are two categories of foreign election observers -- short-term and long-term teams. Short-term observers mostly concentrate on observation during the poll day while long-term ones cover pre-poll, polling and post-poll activities, the meeting outlined.
The EC has fixed some outlines about the guidelines, accreditation and grant of visas for foreign election observers as some organisations like the NDI and IRI have contacted the commission about election observation and also enquired about formalities regarding obtaining visas and other related matters.
Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda had chaired a high-profile meeting in connection with the election observation by foreign observers on October 28 in the EC conference room, in preparation for dealing with the armies of poll monitors.
Election Commissioners M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, EC secretary M Humaun Kabir, Foreign Affairs secretary Md Towhid Hossain, Information secretary Jamil Osman and Home Affairs additional secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid were present, among others, at the meeting.
There are two categories of foreign election observers -- short-term and long-term teams. Short-term observers mostly concentrate on observation during the poll day while long-term ones cover pre-poll, polling and post-poll activities, the meeting outlined.