The Election Commission’s commitment to upholding constitutional provisions and fostering cooperation with political parties will play a crucial role in conducting a successful and credible election.
A private meeting was held between the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal and his delegation with Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique at the Supreme Court (SC) office. The closed-door meeting, which lasted approximately half an hour, took place on Monday. The delegation from the Election Commission (EC) consisted of CEC Kazi Habibul Awal, Election Commissioner Rasheda Sultana, EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, and Joint Secretary Mahbubur Rahman. No representatives from the SC administration were present during the meeting.
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Purpose of the meeting
The meeting was primarily intended as a courtesy call by the EC delegation to Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique. During the meeting, the delegation conveyed their respect and expressed gratitude to the esteemed chief justice, recognizing his imminent retirement and acknowledging the limited opportunity for future interactions.
Discussion with International Election Observers
On Sunday, 30 July 2023, the EC hosted a meeting with a delegation of international election observers from the USA, Ireland, Japan, and China. Election Commissioners Ahsan Habib Khan, Md Alamgir, Rashida Sultana, Anisur Rahman, and EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam were also present at the meeting.
The discussions during the meeting focused on the possibility of foreign observers monitoring the upcoming 12th National Parliament Election. The Election Commission emphasized that foreign observers would be welcomed, provided they follow the proper protocol of obtaining prior approval from both the Home and Foreign Ministries. Following their visit, the observers are expected to release a report detailing the pre-election situation and environmental assessment for the upcoming election.
Election timeline
As per the constitution, the Twelfth National Parliament Election must be held within 90 days before January 29, 2024. The countdown for the election will commence on November 1 of the current year. However, the exact date for the election announcement remains flexible, allowing for it to be made 50, 60, or 70 days before the elections, or even at the end of October.
Disappointment over cancellation of meeting with BNP:
The international election observers expressed disappointment over the cancellation of their meeting with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The delegation was eager to hear the party’s concerns and perspectives regarding the upcoming national election. However, the meeting was cancelled by the BNP, leaving the observers without the opportunity to gain insights from both sides of the political spectrum.
The discussion with international election observers indicates the Election Commission’s openness to foreign monitoring, as long as proper protocols are followed. The upcoming 12th National Parliament Election is subject to specific constitutional timelines, and preparations are underway to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process. The Election Commission’s commitment to upholding constitutional provisions and fostering cooperation with political parties will play a crucial role in conducting a successful and credible election. The situation will be closely monitored, and any further developments will be taken into account for future reports.
