US mission’s focus on free, fair, participatory polls: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday said the main focus of the visiting pre-election assessment mission from the United States is to ensure a free, fair, participatory election in Bangladesh.

The CEC spoke to reporters after a meeting with the US delegation at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon.

"In today's meeting, we informed the US pre-assessment team about our roles, responsibilities, activities, Election Commission’s coordination with the government, etc,” he said.  

"After all, we've provided all the information they've asked us for," he said. “We don't know what they'll do next. They may go back home (US) and review whether to send poll observers or not.”

A six-member joint pre-election assessment mission (PEAM)of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI)  arrived in Bangladesh on Saturday to follow electoral preparations and conduct an independent, impartial assessment on its progress.

Till October 12, they will be meeting with a diverse group of election stakeholders including government officials, political parties, election authorities, civil society, and others.

The delegation is co-chaired by Karl F. Inderfurth, Former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs and Bonnie Glick, Former Deputy USAID Administrator.  It also includes Maria Chin Abdullah, former member of the House of Representatives, Malaysia; Jamil Jaffer, former associate counsel to the President of the United States; Manpreet Singh Anand, NDI regional director for Asia-Pacific; and Johanna Kao, IRI senior director, Asia-Pacific Division.

The assessment team has already held meetings with Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party.