FM Momen: Bangladeshi-origin Americans not allowed to observe national polls

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said that no Bangladeshi-origin American will be allowed to observe the upcoming national election, slated for January 7. 

He said two US observer teams the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) have arrived in Dhaka to observe the polls.

“A team’s survey has been completed. Another team will survey for two more months. They will see whether democratic institutions are working in this country. However, someone of Bangladeshi origin American will not be allowed to observe the polls” he said at the Sylhet Press Club on Monday.

Expressing his optimism that the 12th parliamentary election will be free and fair, he said there will be no stability in the country if the election is not acceptable. 

“The election will be acceptable if more people come to the polling centers. If there are fewer people, the polls will be questionable,” he added.

Dr Momen further said in 2008, the highest 88% of votes were cast in Bangladesh, while the low voter turnout was in the election of February 15, 1996.

Earlier, foreign ministry spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said nine countries - India, Sri Lanka, China, Russia, Japan, Uzbekistan, Mauritius, Georgia and Palestine - would observe the 12th parliamentary election.

Besides, the OIC, Commonwealth and Arab Parliament would also observe the election, she said.

A four-member EU expert panel is also in Dhaka to observe the election.