Stakeholders’ opinion needed in revising foreign election observer policy: TIB

As the Election Commission took the initiative to revise the foreign election observer policy for the upcoming national elections, Transparency International Bangladesh has urged to amend the policy in light of the opinions of experts, media workers, and other stakeholders and international practices.

In a statement issued today, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, "The existing policy must be amended, because the spontaneous presence and free movement of local and foreign observers is essential in a fair, impartial and participatory election."

"If policies are formulated only through the opinion-based decisions of government institutions, on the one hand, the ongoing crisis of confidence in the Election Commission will deepen, and on the other hand, it will discourage foreign observers again like 2018," he added.

Iftekharuzzaman also called for the consideration of the free presence of foreign observers as an important means of ensuring a level-playing field in making the policy "contemporary".

He said the Election Commission is not solely responsible to hold a fair election and it should not be forgotten that organising a transparent and acceptable election is a constitutional responsibility of the commission.

Therefore, the policy should be formulated in light of international practices including the opinions of non-party experts, media personalities and other stakeholders and the positive and negative experiences of Bangladesh in the past, Iftekharuzzaman added.