UN envoy Oscar Fernandez-Taranco will visit Dhaka with a team from December 6 to 10 in the backdrop of confrontational politics in the country.
Taranco, an assistant secretary-general of Department of Political Affairs, will have official meetings with the Election Commission officials and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque, an official of the foreign ministry said.
On Wednesday, UN Resident Coordinator Neil Walker had a meeting with the foreign secretary and discussed about the visit, the official said seeking anonymity.
Walker also called on Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad to discuss Taranco’s visit.
This is Taranco’s third visit within a year as he had visited Dhaka first in December and later in May.
He had a series of meetings with all major stakeholders including the prime minister, leader of the opposition, speaker, the CEC, leaders of other political parties and members of the civil society.
Taranco’s meeting with the EC would be a “technical” one and they would discuss how the UN could help holding the next election, the foreign ministry official said.
The UN does not have any mandate to send any observer for monitoring elections but it might facilitate observers of other countries and regions, the official said.
As the polls schedule is declared, the EC would now formally invite all interested parties to send their observers.
During his last visit, Taranco expressed concern as time was running out for a solution to hold free, fair, credible and non-violent election.
Terming the next election crucial for strengthening democratic process, he had advocated for peaceful dialogue and active engagement to put in place a mechanism that allows establishment of level-playing field for all political parties.
The envoy, however, categorically said the UN did not have any formula.
He cautioned that not having a credible election would have dire consequence like the past.
