EU 'satisfied' with election preparations, will send major observation team: ambassador

"The EU supports a timely, transparent, and inclusive election. This is a big opportunity for Bangladesh," Miller says

European Union Ambassador to Dhaka Michael Miller has "expressed satisfaction" with the overall preparations for the parliamentary election and the referendum slated for February next year.

Following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon on Tuesday, he said a large EU delegation will monitor the election.

The 13th parliamentary election and the referendum are scheduled to be held in the first half of February, and the CEC has said the schedule will be announced in the second week of December.

The EU ambassador visited a “mock vote” exercise at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Girls High School on Saturday. Three days later, he met with the CEC.

Miller said, "The EU supports a timely, transparent, and inclusive election. This is a big opportunity for Bangladesh."

Facing reporters after the hour-long meeting, he brought up the topic of the two mock votes.

He said, "I had the good fortune to see an EC exercise for managing the parliamentary election and referendum. I am impressed by the EC's pre-election preparations.

“This has been done after taking the overall challenges of the parliamentary polls and the referendum into consideration."

Miller also highlighted the EC's capability and commitment.

"I have seen the commitment and professionalism of the Election Commission and its capacity to conduct the vote. One of the world's major elections is happening in Bangladesh in 2026.

“The European Union is preparing to send a very large election observation mission in this election."

The EU has been providing several types of support for this election and Miller reaffirmed the EU's commitment to continuing it.