European Union ambassador Charles Whiteley said on Wednesday that the EU member countries were hoping to see a democratic, credible, peaceful, and participatory election in Bangladesh as the country was set to hold its next general election on January 7.
Whiteley came up with the remark while talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban following a meeting with the chief election commissioner, Kazi Habibul Awal, and other election commissioners.
‘We had a very extensive meeting with the chief election commissioner, fellow commissioners, and the [Election Commission] team,’ Whiteley told reporters.
‘We had a very wide range of exchanges regarding the preparation for the election. As an international partner to Bangladesh, we [EU] very much appreciate the opportunity to learn more insight into the preparation of the key election,’ he added.
‘I have certainly had an open discussion with the chief election commissioner and his team, which we appreciate. We hope to see a democratic, credible, peaceful, and participatory election,’ said the envoy.
The CEC told reporters that a four-member EU expert election observation team had already arrived.
‘They [EU delegation] have been aware of our preparations for a long time. As we have made it clear before, we are doing our utmost to ensure that the elections are free-fair, peaceful, and credible,’ he said.
‘We are constitutionally bound to hold elections within the stipulated time. We have made it very clear to them. I believe they have understood our constitutional limitations,’ he said.
The 10-member delegation includes Bernd Spanier, deputy head of mission, EU Delegation to Bangladesh, Sebastian Riger-Brown, political officer, EU Delegation to Bangladesh, Swedish ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg Von Linde, Spanish ambassador Francisco de Asis Benitez Salas, Italian ambassador Antonio Alessandro, Netherlands ambassador Irma van Dueren, Denmark ambassador Christian Brix Moller, deputy head of mission at the French Embassy Gillaume Audren de Kerdrel, and deputy head of mission, charge d'affaires at German embassy Jan Janowski.
