74 foreign observers to monitor Dhaka city polls

As many as 74 international observers will monitor the elections to Dhaka north and south city corporations slated to be held on February 1.

“The Election Commission has already directed the Senior Secretary of Public Security Division under the Home Ministry to ensure safety for the foreign observers,” Election Commission Secretariat Director Md Israil Hossain told BSS on Friday.

Among the foreign observers- 27 are from the US, 12 from the UK, five from the European Union, six from the Netherlands, six from Switzerland, five from Japan, three from Denmark, four from Norway, two from Australia and four from Canada. Besides, the Election Commission approved a total of 1,013 local observers from 22 organizations to monitor the city polls.

Local organizations that were granted permission to observe the city polls include – Jatiya Nirbachon Parjobekkhon Parishad , SAARC Human Rights

Foundation, Forum for Development Association, Somaj Unnoyan Proyash, Bangladesh Manobadhikar Shomonnoy Parishad, Youth for Human Rights International Foundation, Association for Social Development of Bangladesh and Institute for Environment and Development and COAST Trust, Peace and Development Organization, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).

Electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used exclusively in Friday’s city corporation elections.