Election Timing to Be Set by Govt and Political Parties: UNRC

"The decision on the election timeline lies with the government and political parties," she said, emphasizing that the UN has no involvement in setting the date. Lewis made these remarks after a meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka.

The UNRC, who is leading a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), also confirmed that the team’s visit to Bangladesh follows a request by the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) for technical support for the next general elections.

"The UN is ready to provide full technical and logistical support for the upcoming parliamentary elections," Lewis noted, highlighting the UN’s commitment to assisting Bangladesh in holding free and fair elections.

The UNDP-led needs assessment mission began its work this morning with a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and other Election Commission officials. The team’s 10-day visit will include consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, and other election-related entities.

When asked which political parties the mission would meet, Lewis emphasized that the goal is to engage as many as possible. "We aim to meet every political party we can in Bangladesh," she said.

The delegation is focusing on identifying specific areas where the UN can provide support, particularly in response to the Election Commission’s request for assistance with the national elections, as opposed to local government elections.

Following their meeting with the EC, the UN team will travel to Chattogram on Wednesday to continue discussions with local stakeholders. Upon returning to Dhaka, they will consult with civil society, academic experts, political parties, and others involved in the electoral process.

"The mission will conclude its visit in 10 days and present its findings and recommendations to the Election Commission," Lewis explained.

The needs assessment will help determine the kind of technical support the UN can offer, with a particular focus on areas such as capacity development, technology implementation, and combating misinformation. Lewis also pointed out that technology will be crucial for efforts like the upcoming door-to-door voter list update.

The UN’s involvement aims to ensure the integrity and smooth conduct of the general elections, while strengthening the electoral process in Bangladesh.