By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka : Chief of Election Observation Mission of the European Union Alexander Graf Lambsdorff Friday said maintaining conducive election atmosphere is possible even after lifting the state of emergency before the polls.
He hoped that all political parties would take part in the elections for strengthening the democracy in the country and making the transition to democracy from the present situation.
“All political parties should take part in the elections for reflecting the expectations of the people,” he said.
Whichever party wins or loses, all should accept the election results, he said while briefing journalists at a city hotel here.
Other members of the mission are Deputy Chief Graham Elson and election expert Maria Espinosa.
The present situation is much better than that of January 2007 for holding the elections, Lambsdorff said, adding that although some issues like lifting emergency and creating a level-playing field for all parties are yet to be resolved, the debate over the voter list, the main issue for holding the polls, is over.
“A voter list with photographs is very much essential for holding a free, fair and credible election,” he added.
Replying to a question, he said the Election Commission (EC) can work much independently now compared to any time in the past, he said.
The EU has redeployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to monitor the parliamentary elections, now scheduled for Dec 29, he added.
Replying to another question on suspending its observation mission earlier, he said the EU EOM was suspended in January 2007 because conditions in the country at the time would not have permitted the conduct of a credible electoral process.
The redeployment of the EU EOM follows the repeal of some key elements of the Emergency Power Rules, which now make it possible to carry out election observation and make an assessment of the strength and weakness of the electoral process, he said.
Meanwhile in KHULNA, non-government organisation National Democratic Institute (NDI) hopes that a free and fair election will be held in Bangladesh in a suitable atmosphere with participation of all parties.
A team of this US-based organization assigned for election monitoring expressed this view after a meeting with probable candidates of different political parties Thursday.
They also meet with Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khaleq, Police Commission Helal Uddin Badry to exchange views on the upcoming parliamentary election.
The members of the team Susmita Manandar, Naiko Ristar and Kazi Arfan Ashik mainly inquired about the law and order situation of the area and preparation of the authorities concerned to hold a free and fair election.
Police commissioner told them that the government has taken all preparations to maintain peace during the election at any cost.