Awami League needs permission to hold rally on Dec 10

Election Commission Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath has said Awami League needs to get permission from the returning officer to hold political rallies on December 10. 

He made this statement following a meeting between the chief election commissioner and the four-member electoral expert team of the European Union (EU) at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon on Sunday.

The Awami League will hold a rally on December 10 to observe Human Rights Day. When asked whether the Election Commission (EC) had granted permission, he replied: “We have not yet received any letter.” 

Regarding the possibility of holding the rally without permission, he said: “If there is a violation of the code of conduct, the commission will take action. Permission is required for any political rally. It must be conducted in accordance with our code of conduct.”

“Our joint secretaries and I have spoken with a four-member delegation from the European Union. Essentially, they had some matters to inquire about. They will stay in Bangladesh until January 23 to observe various election-related issues. They had some matters to inform us about. We have reported those matters,” Ashok Kumar said. 

Election expert David Noel Ward (election expert) led the EU team.

The three other members of the visiting team are—electoral analysts Alexandre Mattus and Swibes Charlotte, and legal expert Rebecca Cox.

Earlier on Saturday afternoon, BNP leaders held a meeting with the members of the European Union electoral expert team.

The team arrived in Dhaka on November 29 to observe the January 7 national election.