EC meeting with Commonwealth delegation begins

The pre-election delegation of the Commonwealth has come to observe the situation ahead of the upcoming 12th National Parliament elections. The meeting started at 10 am on Sunday in the meeting room of the main Election Commission of Agargaon Election Commission building.

The meeting was attended by Commonwealth Political Department Executive Officer Zippy Ojago, Political Adviser Lindiwi Malelekha, Associate Research Officer Sarthak Roy and Political Adviser and Chief Linford Andrews. On the other hand, apart from the Chief Election Commissioner, other Election Commissioners and senior officials of the EC are present on behalf of the Election Commission.

The Commonwealth pre-election observation team arrived in the country yesterday. The party might stay in Dhaka till November 23. During the visit, the members of the delegation will meet with various quarters including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Election Commission. This information is known from related sources. Based on their report, the agency will decide to send observers to the 12th parliamentary elections.

Earlier, the EC has held meetings with various countries and international organizations on vote monitoring. Meanwhile, a European, US agency has said it will monitor the vote.

Besides, the EC has also called for application by 21 November through the embassies for foreign observers to observe the vote.

According to the announced schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers for parliamentary elections is November 30, selection of nomination papers is from December 1 to 4, appeals against the decision of the returning officer are filed and disposed of in the Commission from December 6 to 15, and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature is December 17. The returning officers will allot the symbols on December 18. The election campaign will continue till 8 am on January 5. And the voting will be on January 7.

Sources related to the Election Commission say that the pre-election team of the Commonwealth may stay in Bangladesh from November 19 to 23. Based on their report, the organization will decide to send observers to the 12th parliamentary election.