Bangladesh
EC Alamgir Checking original and duplicate observers is not Election Commission's responsibility: EC Alamgir
Dhaka, August 3: Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not of the Election Commission, to see who is real and who is fake among the international observers. He said this in response to a question from reporters at his office in Agargaon election building on Wednesday afternoon.
An organization held a meeting, two of them unidentified, two journalists. In response to the question whether there will be any action to prevent such people from coming from abroad, EC Alamgir said, "We do not have any office abroad. We can inquire about the country. After doing as much research as possible, we approve. However, it is not possible for us to say who is the real and who is the fake international organization. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see that."
He said that the experts of the countries from which the observers will come will surely give visas. But no organization is invited by name. We are open for you to come.
EC Alamgir said, what we want is that those who have the experience of observing elections and those who have observed the elections of different countries of the world, be it individuals and organizations, such experienced people should come. Only then will it be acceptable to everyone. They can observe and analyze the election properly. Now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will look into the matter of those who do not have experience.
When asked what to say about the four who came recently, he said that there was no discussion on whether they are international observers or not. They came as an international forum. We give time to those who want to discuss with us. If the government gives visas... we won't know whether they are observers or non-observers.
They are not observers, such reports have come in the media. Why did a registered organization trick them, do you want accountability? - EC Alamgir said that we have not received any complaint. We will look into the future if we get complaints. We will not be able to take action by looking at the media reports. We have more work to do.
