National elections: EC asks foreign ministry to invite foreign observers using missions abroad
The Election Commission on Sunday (22 October) asked the foreign ministry to inform its missions abroad to invite foreign observers and media personnel for the upcoming national elections to ensure transparency.
In a notice, it said, "Bangladesh Election Commission is committed to hold free, fair, credible and peaceful elections at all times. We want foreign election observers and Foreign media worldwide along with our local observers to observe our upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections."
In the notice, signed by EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, the commission confirmed that the 12th national election is set to be held in the first half of January 2024.
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Speaking to The Business Standard, Asadul Huq, assistant director of the EC, said the foreign ministry has been asked to forward the notice to its different missions, aiming to publicise the invitation.
The notice further adds, "We would therefore like to invite international election observers or observer organisations and foreign media intending to observe the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections to apply following the 'Guidelines for International Election Observers and Foreign Media' by November 21, 2023."
It said interested election observers or observer organisations and foreign media are requested kindly to follow the clauses 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 and 3.1 of the 'Guidelines for International Election Observers and Foreign Media' while applying.
The guidelines and related forms are available at www.ecs.gov.bd, it added.
