US to send observers for 11th nat’l polls

The United States will send teams of observers for the upcoming parliamentary election slated for December 30, sources with the US embassy in Dhaka confirmed The Independent yesterday. At least twelve teams of observers, comprising two members each, would be sent to Bangladesh ahead of the polls. The US will also fund a large number of domestic poll-observers, sources with the embassy

added. The US decision to send observers comes in contrast to the EU stance, which recently announced that it will not send any election observers to Bangladesh and would deploy a small team instead to monitor the situation before and during the election. A Reuters report quoting William Moeller, political officer at the US embassy in Dhaka, said that about 15,000 Bangladeshi observers will be funded jointly by the US Agency for International Development, Britain’s Department for International Development and the Swiss government.

The Bangkok-based Asian Network for Free Elections will also send a team of about 30 short- and long-term observers, the US official added.

Moeller also referred to reports of harassment and intimidation before recent city corporation elections, which he said may have suppressed voter turnout.

The U.S. National Democratic Institute meanwhile said after an assessment in October the polls would be held “amid a high degree of political polarization, heightened tensions and shrinking political space”.

US to send observers for 11th natl polls

The United States will send teams of observers for the upcoming parliamentary election slated for December 30, sources with the US embassy in Dhaka confirmed The Independent yesterday. At least twelve teams of observers, comprising two members each, would be sent to Bangladesh ahead of the polls. The US will also fund a large number of domestic poll-observers, sources with the embassy added. The US decision to send observers comes in contrast to the EU stance, which recently announced that it will not send any election observers to Bangladesh and would deploy a small team instead to monitor the situation before and during the election. A Reuters report quoting William Moeller, political officer at the US embassy in Dhaka, said that about 15,000 Bangladeshi observers will be funded jointly by the US Agency for International Development, Britains Department for International Development and the Swiss government. The Bangkok-based Asian Network for Free Elections will also send a team of about 30 short- and long-term observers, the US official added. Moeller also referred to reports of harassment and intimidation before recent city corporation elections, which he said may have suppressed voter turnout. The U.S. National Democratic Institute meanwhile said after an assessment in October the polls would be held amid a high degree of political polarization, heightened tensions and shrinking political space.