178 foreign observers to monitor polls

A total of 178 observers representing 16 countries and foreign organisations have applied to Election Commission to monitor the upcoming 11th general election in Bangladesh slated for December 30.

EC sources said the observers comprise 97 foreigners and 81 local representatives.

The sources said 32 foreign observers representing international NGO network- Enfrell would monitor the December 30 polls.

France will deploy four observers, including Bangladeshis, while Japan is set to engage nine monitors, including five Bangladeshis. Spain will send one observer while Denmark will engage three monitors including two Bangladeshi. Norway has taken a decision of employing two polls monitors, including one local.

There will be four observers from the US-based International Foundation for Electoral Systems including one foreigner and three locals.

Another US-based research agency- Democracy International -is expected to engage 24 polls monitors, including two foreigners and 22 Bangladeshis.

Three foreign observers from Dependenta Kendall Initiative will monitor the polls. The US will have 65 observers including 32 foreigners and 33 Bangladeshis.

Germany will send 8 observers, of them, six are foreigners and two Bangladeshis. Moreover, there will be four observers from the Netherlands while two from the European Union.

There will be four observers from the Washington-based International Republican Institute comprising two foreigners and two Bangladeshis.

Switzerland will have six observers, of them, two are foreigners and four Bangladeshis.

There will be seven observers from the Asian Foundation, of them, two are foreigners and five Bangladeshis.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net