Big day for Bangladesh's democracy: EU observer mission chief

Evers Ijabs, head of the European Union (EU) election observation mission, has said that this is a big day for Bangladesh's democracy.

He said this after visiting the Siddheshwari Girls College center in the capital on Thursday morning and observing the process of starting the election.

The EU observer mission arrived at the center about half an hour before the election began and observed the overall situation. 

At that time, the returning officer showed them the ballot boxes upside down and set them up for voting. Then the voting began at the scheduled time.

Later, speaking to reporters, Evers Ijabs said, "The election has begun here at the scheduled time. We saw the voting begin in the morning." 

He expressed hope that participatory elections would be held not only in the capital but also throughout the country. 

He also said that he would observe the entire process during the rest of the day.

Rita Khandaker, the first voter at this center, said, "I am able to vote after a long time, I feel very excited. Let there be a corruption-free and competent leadership—whoever comes, I want the country's good."

Voting has been going on in a peaceful atmosphere at the center since morning, and the presence of voters has also been observed.