ANFREL not coming to monitor election, US express disappointment

International election monitoring agency Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is not coming to monitor the eleventh national parliament election. The complexity has created due to not getting visa timely, said the agency. The agency was scheduled to monitor the election with financial support from National Democratic Institute of USA. In this regard USA has expressed disappointment.

US Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino expressed disappointment for not providing visas in a statement on Friday.

He said, a team of Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL)- financially supported by National Democratic Institute of USA, was scheduled to arrive to monitor the election of Bangladesh. But due to visa complexities the visit was cancelled.

Robert Palladino said, to conduct a credible monitoring mission for December 30 election, Bangladesh government has failed to issue credentials and visas for most of the international election monitors of ANFREL within the timeframe. We are disappointed in this regard.

He also said in the statement, the lack of an international observation mission makes it even more important for the Government of Bangladesh to complete the accreditation of all the local NGOs that constitute the Election Working Group, which includes some funded by USAID, so they can conduct the vital work of monitoring the election.

“We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment to a democratic process by ensuring all Bangladeshis are free to peacefully express themselves and participate in December 30 election,” Palladino added in the statement.

AH