EU to send observers for national election: Khosru

Staff Reporter :

The European Union (EU) has decided to deploy election observers to Bangladesh for the upcoming national polls, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Wednesday.

“The EU has agreed to send observers following requests from both the government and the Election Commission. They are keen to witness a free, fair, transparent, and acceptable election in Bangladesh,” Khosru told reporters after a meeting between BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.

He said the discussion mainly revolved around the forthcoming national election – expected to take place in the first half of February – and the overall electoral process.
Khosru noted that the EU has consistently played a significant role in Bangladesh’s electoral affairs and will continue to do so this time as well.

According to him, the meeting also covered a range of issues including the economy, trade relations, institutional reforms, and the need to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s close economic ties with the EU, Khosru said the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector has flourished thanks to the EU’s duty-free market access. “They wish to maintain this cooperation, ensuring that Bangladesh-EU trade relations remain strong and uninterrupted in the future,” he added.

He further said the EU reiterated its commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to make democracy more institutional and sustainable.
“The EU wants to see democratic institutions – the Parliament, government, judiciary, and media – operate independently,” Khosru said.
He added that the EU is also eager to help foster an environment where citizens can fully enjoy freedom of expression and democratic rights.

“We welcome this initiative. To sustain democracy in Bangladesh, we must institutionalise it. The elements that uphold democracy need to be strengthened, and institutions must function independently. We have to restore our democratic culture and revive the values we’ve lost,” Khosru remarked.

He said the discussion also emphasised the importance of making Parliament stronger and more functional. “A strong democracy requires a strong Parliament, and the EU has expressed its readiness to support efforts aimed at enhancing parliamentary effectiveness.”

The EU ambassador arrived at the BNP Chairperson’s office around 11am and held a meeting with Fakhrul for about an hour and ten minutes.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were also present during the meeting.