The Election Commission has informed the visiting Commonwealth pre-election assessment mission of the polls preparation as the 12th parliamentary election will be held on January 7.
A four-member delegation of the pre-election assessment team of the Commonwealth was informed about the 12th parliamentary polls as it held a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and other election commissioners at the Nirbachan Bhaban on Sunday.
Following the meeting, Linford Andrews, adviser and head of the Electoral Support of Governance and Peace Directorate of the Commonwealth (staff team leader), said they will make recommendations regarding Bangladesh's polls to the Commonwealth secretary general to decide next steps.
"We are mainly here to know the polls preparations. We are observing the existing situation. We will leave the country on November 22," he said, adding that a good discussion was held on how much Bangladesh can help if Commonwealth observers come.
He further said that before leaving Bangladesh, they will hold discussions with other stakeholders on Bangladesh's upcoming polls and its preparations.
Other members of Commonwealth team, including Lindiwe Maleleka, political adviser, Electoral Support Section, Zippy Ojago, executive officer, Electoral Support Section and Sarthak Roy, assistant research officer, Political Division (Asia) were present, among others, on the occasion.
'Parties will get all help from EC'
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir on Sunday said that all kinds of assistance will be provided to those who will participate in the elections.
"If any political party wants help in elections, that party concerned will get help. All kinds of assistance will be provided to those who will participate in the elections," he told journalists at his office at Nirbachan Bhaban in city's Agargaon area.
Alamgir further said if BNP wants to join elections, the EC will help the party.
"But it is not our responsibility to control political parties. All efforts will be made for those parties who will participate in the elections. We have nothing to do with those who do not come to the polls," he continued.
In replying to another a query, he said that action will be taken if there is any complaint about the role of the police administration.
"However, the complaint must be specific and informative," he added.
According to the schedule announced by the EC, the 12th parliamentary elections will be held on January 7.
It is learnt that 10 parties, including the ruling party, will participate in the polls in an alliance.
They have already started selling party nomination forms aiming to pick their candidates for contesting the 12th national polls, EC sources said.
