Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said an agreement has been signed among the EC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union (EU) for monitoring the forthcoming election scheduled on 12 February.

He said that under the agreement, around 175 to 200 observers, led by Member of the European Parliament Ivars Ījabs, will arrive at different stages before and after the election to carry out observation activities with the overall support of the Election Commission.

The EC Secretary said, “In light of this agreement, the European Union will send a delegation to observe the election process. We will provide them with the necessary assistance under the tripartite agreement.”

He added, “We have made one request to them: that local protocols have to be followed where applicable. For instance, if special local protocols are required in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, they must be followed accordingly.”

Akhtar Ahmed said that although the agreement was signed on 15 December, it received final approval on Tuesday night.

“The agreement was approved at the European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. We received confirmation last night,” he said.

He added that work has already begun in this regard and that further details will be announced soon.