More than 50 foreign polls observers and journalists have reached Bangladesh so far and more are on their way to observe the 11th National Elections slated for Dec 30.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and Election Commission (EC) Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed briefed the foreign observers at the capital’s Shonargaon Hotel on Saturday (Dec 29).
They answered the observers’ question and out of the four questions, two were related to Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
An Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) observer wanted to know how voting will be conducted in the constituencies where EVM is not introduced.
The EC secretary replied that EVMs have been introduced in six constituencies on for the first time on a trial basis and this is the first time voters will cast their votes the digital way.
In the rest of the constituencies, the vote will be conducted manually, he said.
An official of the Maldives Election Commission and an observer wanted to know whether the voters are familiar with the EVM system.
Ahmed assured him that there were campaigns about the new system and mock vote was conducted in all the constituencies to familiarize voters.
A Canadian observer was interested in how many parties have registered with the commission and the reply was 39.
An Indian observer expressed his desire to visit a minority dominated and a rural centre, to which the foreign secretary offered to contact the observer centre and arrange it.
The Election Commission secretary informed the observers that they would be provided security and vehicle during the polls.
Meanwhile, two media centres have been set up at Sonargaon hotel for the observers and journalists. They will have 24-hour access to the centres and it will be operable till Dec 31.