Foreign observers satisfied over voting environment

Foreign observers of OIC, Russia, Canada, Palestine, Canada and Gambia have expressed their satisfaction, mentioning that the voting environment was peaceful, transparent and festive.

The foreign observers came up with the reaction at a press conference held at Hotel Sonargaon in the city on Sunday.

The foreign observers included member of the central election commission of the Russian Federation Andrey Y SHUTOV, CEO of central election commission, Palestine, Hisham Kuhail, Mohamadou Musa Njie of the Gambia High Commission, Scottish MP Martyn Day, head of election unit, OIC Shakir Mahmood Bandar, member of Arab Parliament Abdihakim Moalliam, executive director of South Asia Democratic Forum Paulo Casaca, Victor OH and Chandrakanth Arya of Canada.

Sheikh Mohammad Bandar, the head of the observing team of OIC, said, “As observers, we did not see any sign of violence. I was surprised, why the shops closed! No people were seen on the roads. The city was quiet”.

Russian central election commissioner said they have found the election process in Bangladesh very impressive, open and transparent.

Hisham Kuhail, Chief Election Officer of the Central Election Commission of Palestine, said, "What I found is that the process of election was transparent, open and the election officials were efficient".

CEO of American Global Strategies Alexander B Gray while sharing his experiences after visiting 10 polling centres said, “I saw with my own eyes   that the election was free and fair which was professionally administered having high degree of enthusiasm from the voters, polling staffs and others concerned,”

He said not a single voter or anyone expressed their concerns and complaints to him.

“This election met the highest standards of democratic accountability and professionalism and I’m very much convinced that the Election Commission has operated professionally with integrity,” he added.