The Election Commission of India is providing guidance to Bangladesh on how to make the upcoming 11th parliamentary election more acceptable in the international community.
The Indian commission also considering a plan to formally send observers during the vote, slated to be held on December 30.
Confirming the matter, a senior official of the Indian election commission, on condition of anonymity, said: “Election is perhaps the most important pillar of a country’s democratic process.
“There is no doubt about India’s capability to organize fair and inclusive polls for the past 7 decades. We want to share India’s wealth of experience for organizing inclusive polls with Bangladesh, which is one of our closest neighbours.”
The insider added that the January 5 election of 2014 faced some criticism from the international community because of BNP boycotting the polls.
“The BNP, along with its alliance members, are contesting the next general election. Bangladesh is leaving no stones unturned for making this election even more acceptable to the international community. Sharing experience with the Election Commission of India is a part of that effort,” the Indian official said.
Just a courtesy call?
On November 29, the Election Commission of India organized a special briefing for a Bangladeshi delegation visiting India, comprised of 23 senior diplomats.
The briefing was held at the commission headquarters located on the Ashoka Road in Delhi.
The Bangladeshi delegation held discussion with Indian officials on inner workings of organizing a more inclusive and fair election, and on representing the polls to the media in a positive light.
Bangladeshi delegation attending the briefing conducted by Election Commission of India |Bangla Tribune
Sunil Arora was appointed the chief election commissioner of India on December 2.
On December 12, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali paid a courtesy call to the newly appointed chief election commissioner.
Both countries have termed the visit a courtesy call, but insider sources said discussions about Bangladesh’s 11th general election were held during the visit.
The interaction between Bangladeshi high commissioner to Delhi and the Indian chief election commissioner certainly holds importance whether the upcoming election was discussed or not.
However, Delhi on numerous occasions has declined to comment on Bangladesh’s impending parliamentary election.
In a recent statement, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: “We consider the 11th parliamentary election of Bangladesh strictly as the country’s internal matter. We will refrain on commenting on the issue.”
Under the circumstances, the Election Commission of India is also avoiding too much publicity on helping Bangladesh with the upcoming polls.
Responding to query, former chief election commissioner of India and an international election observer, Dr SY Qureshi said: “There will probably be Indians among the international observers who will visit Bangladesh during the upcoming 11th general polls.
“However, as far as I know, the Indian government has yet to reach a decision on whether the nation or the Election Commission of India will send any election observers.”
