New election monitoring group formed

National Alliance for Election Monitoring (NAEM), a new election monitoring group, has demanded holding the coming general election in a normal and democratic environment, not under the state of emergency, reports UNB.brEight civic, electoral, human rights and research organisations formed NAEM to monitor and work for credible elections in the country.brThe organisations are Unnayan Dhara, Unnayan Samannoy, Save the Underprivileged and Needy (SUN), Power, Participation and Research centre (PPRC), Nagorik Uddyog, Bangladesh Nari Progoti Shangha (BNPS), Indigenous People's Development Services (IPDS) and Brotee.brAddressing a press conference at the National Press Club Sunday, NAEM secretary Sharmeen Murshid termed the emergency an artificial environment and said the just completed four city corporation and nine municipal elections were held peacefully and neutrally under the artificial environment.brShe said people want an election held in a normal environment, not in an 'artificial incubator', with the participation of able and honest candidates. The alliance will watch how the Election Commission (EC), political parties and the government can give us such and election, she added.brSharmeen Murshid, also secretary of Brotee, said the alliance would closely monitor electoral tools, including voter list, demarcation of the constituencies, behaviour of the political parties, codes of conduct, and irregularities, which are important for holding free and fair elections.brShe said the alliance would support the EC with timely and reliable information so that the Commission could take necessary action or corrective measures when any wrong-doing is identified.brOur main effort will be to establish a broader base to strengthen citizens' vigilance over the electoral process and establish democracy in the country, she said.brRepresentatives from respective organisations were present at the press conference.