The Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, IwamaKiminori on Thursday met Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal to know about the progress on the road-map for the upcoming 12th national parliamentary elections of Bangladesh.
The Japanese ambassador discussed about the election road-map during a courtesy visit to the CEC on Tuesday (30 May) as his first meeting with the EC officials, EC Secretary Jahangir Alam explained.
"He (IwamaKiminori) wanted to know about the progress of the Electoral Commission's roadmap," Jahangir said adding, "The CEC Kazi Habibul Awal briefed the matter to the Japanese Ambassador."
During the meeting, the CEC requested Japan, one of the biggest lenders to Bangladesh, to send observers during the next general election.
"The CEC said if they (Japan) send observer team, Bangladesh will welcome it," Jahangir said while talking to reporters after the meeting.
He also said that during the meeting, the ambassador wanted to know about the election process, implementation status of the EC's road map for the next general elec
tions, demarcation of boundaries and registration of political parties and many other issues.
In response, the CEC said every step is progressing as per the time set in the work plan, he added.
The CEC said that demarcation will be needed in few areas. The Japanese envoy discussed various issues related to the upcoming parliamentary elections, according a press release sent by SharifulAlam, director (Public Relations) of the EC secretariat.
“Changes need to be made in a few areas regarding demarcation. The changes are at the final stage. We will make an announcement by the next week,” the CEC said.
He also described elaborately how the presiding officers, polling officers, election-related government officials, law enforcement agencies will work on the day of the election.
"We were able to hold a fair election in Gazipur few days ago. There was no problem, we hope that we will be able to conduct the national election in a free and fair manner, we are working towards that goal,” he added.
About sending foreign observers for the election, the CEC said: "We will invite foreign observers. If the observer teams come, we will take preparations accordingly.”