EU observers meet Hasina, expect today's JS election free and fair
Monday, 29 December 2008
The European Parliamentary Party and the European Union Polls' Observation Team Sunday expressed their hope that a free, fair and peaceful election would be held in Bangladesh today and the people would get a new elected government, reports BSS.
"We hope that the best election will be held this time in Bangladesh and all the political parties will accept the election results," said Charles Tannock, Chairman of a 10-member delegation of the European Parliamentary Party and the EU Polls Observation Team, after talks with Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence here.
"We are impressed with the activities of the Election Commission in holding of a free, fair and peaceful election as it had prepared the best voters' enrolment better than we have in Britain" Tannock said while talking to reporters.
He described the polls' situation very good as the members of the army have been entrusted with the responsibilities to ensure security during the election. "No untoward incident will happen in the election," he hoped.
Briefing the reporters about the talks, Co-chairman of Awami League Election Steering Committee and a member of the Awami League Advisory Council H T Imam said, the EPP delegation wanted to know the opinion of Sheikh Hasina about the election and she expressed her satisfaction over the voter's list and the transparent ballot boxes to be used in the election.
"We have apprised the EPP delegation of our stand on the election observation as we believe that presence of international polls observers are required before, during and after the polls," Imam said adding: "We have also apprised them about our allegation placed before the EC about violation of the polls' code of conduct, probable use of black money and muscle as well as intimidation of the voters by some candidates in places including Raozan, Rangunia, Hathazari and Sherpur and other constituencies."
Imam said AL has also requested the EPP delegation to observe these issues during their the election hours this time in Bangladesh. Besides, he said, We have also informed the EPP delegation about our reservations about some local election observer teams, which include some identified terrorists. EC has not yet taken any action despite our repeated request, he said.
Asked what would be their expectation regarding the election results, Imam said, "huge turn out of the people from all walks of life, particularly women of conservative families, at the election rallies of our leader Sheikh Hasina has made us believe that Awami League will get single majority and the grand alliance will secure absolute majority in the election."
Earlier in the morning, a seven-member delegation of the International Republican Institute led by its special councilor of African affairs Cherry Newman and a three-member delegation of British Parliamentary Board headed by Baroness Paula Manzila Uddin called on Sheikh Hasina and hoped that the election in Bangladesh would be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner without any untoward incident tomorrow.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Stephen Evans accompanied the British Parliamentary Board delegation.
Awami League was represented by former Ambassadors Mohammad Zamir and Ziauddin Ahmed. Sheikh Rehana, younger sister of Awami League President, and her daughter Azmina Siddique Tulip were present.
Later in the evening, a delegation of the National Democratic Institute called on Sheikh Hasina and discussed the election issues.
"We hope that the best election will be held this time in Bangladesh and all the political parties will accept the election results," said Charles Tannock, Chairman of a 10-member delegation of the European Parliamentary Party and the EU Polls Observation Team, after talks with Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence here.
"We are impressed with the activities of the Election Commission in holding of a free, fair and peaceful election as it had prepared the best voters' enrolment better than we have in Britain" Tannock said while talking to reporters.
He described the polls' situation very good as the members of the army have been entrusted with the responsibilities to ensure security during the election. "No untoward incident will happen in the election," he hoped.
Briefing the reporters about the talks, Co-chairman of Awami League Election Steering Committee and a member of the Awami League Advisory Council H T Imam said, the EPP delegation wanted to know the opinion of Sheikh Hasina about the election and she expressed her satisfaction over the voter's list and the transparent ballot boxes to be used in the election.
"We have apprised the EPP delegation of our stand on the election observation as we believe that presence of international polls observers are required before, during and after the polls," Imam said adding: "We have also apprised them about our allegation placed before the EC about violation of the polls' code of conduct, probable use of black money and muscle as well as intimidation of the voters by some candidates in places including Raozan, Rangunia, Hathazari and Sherpur and other constituencies."
Imam said AL has also requested the EPP delegation to observe these issues during their the election hours this time in Bangladesh. Besides, he said, We have also informed the EPP delegation about our reservations about some local election observer teams, which include some identified terrorists. EC has not yet taken any action despite our repeated request, he said.
Asked what would be their expectation regarding the election results, Imam said, "huge turn out of the people from all walks of life, particularly women of conservative families, at the election rallies of our leader Sheikh Hasina has made us believe that Awami League will get single majority and the grand alliance will secure absolute majority in the election."
Earlier in the morning, a seven-member delegation of the International Republican Institute led by its special councilor of African affairs Cherry Newman and a three-member delegation of British Parliamentary Board headed by Baroness Paula Manzila Uddin called on Sheikh Hasina and hoped that the election in Bangladesh would be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner without any untoward incident tomorrow.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Stephen Evans accompanied the British Parliamentary Board delegation.
Awami League was represented by former Ambassadors Mohammad Zamir and Ziauddin Ahmed. Sheikh Rehana, younger sister of Awami League President, and her daughter Azmina Siddique Tulip were present.
Later in the evening, a delegation of the National Democratic Institute called on Sheikh Hasina and discussed the election issues.