Staff Correspondent:

The European Union (EU) will provide four million euros to help Bangladesh ensure international standards in the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, made the announcement on Tuesday after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission Secretariat at Agargaon.

A six-member delegation held an hour-long meeting with the CEC. This was the fourth meeting of the EU Ambassador with the current Election Commission.

After the meeting, Michael Miller said that the European Union is working as a partner in Bangladesh’s progress toward a democratic election.

On Tuesday I came specifically to inform the Bangladesh Election Commission that the European Union will provide more than €4 million in assistance so that Bangladesh can hold elections maintaining international standards. It was a very fruitful meeting. Going forward, we will continue discussions with the interim government and the Election Commission on this matter,” Miller said.

Along with the EU delegation, representatives from the European Partnership for Democracy were also present at the meeting.

“They are our implementing partners election experts. They will be here to ensure that citizen observation is prioritised in the upcoming election. At the same time, we are emphasising voter education. As the European Union, we are determined to strengthen our partner Bangladesh, and of course, the Election Commission, so that they can hold a fair election,” he said.

The EU Ambassador also highlighted different forms of support for the Election Commission, saying they would directly assist the EC in capacity building and provide expert advice, such as support in effective planning and dispute resolution processes.

“Our main goal is to ensure independence, efficiency, and accountability here, just as in our other areas of work in Bangladesh. The EU considers Bangladesh a priority country, especially regarding a potential EU election observation mission.”

He said that discussions with the interim government and the Election Commission would continue on this matter. “It was a very fruitful meeting,” he added.

In response to a question, Miller said that everyone’s attention is now on election preparations and the political parties. “Announcing the election date is the responsibility of the Election Commission.”

“We are now discussing practical steps to ensure the credibility of the election and that is why we are here to put our expertise to use. Because we want your election to be truly credible, of international standard, and of course free and fair.”

He informed that an EU pre-election observer team will arrive next month.

Miller said, “Next month, a team of technical experts will come to Bangladesh. This is not a full observation mission. Rather, the experts’ task will be to assess whether the right conditions exist here to send a full-fledged observation mission. We are examining capacity and feasibility.”

Answering another question, Miller said, “We are taking different initiatives voter education, enhancing the capacity of domestic observer organisations to work at the field level, working with the Election Commission and with small civic organisations, and continuing discussions with experts to counter disinformation.”