FORUM-ASIA issued the “Election Observation Mission Report” on the parliamentary election in Bangladesh, which took place in December 2008. The report, released on 15 February 2008, is based on the mission by the organisation to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

FORUM-ASIA issued the “Election Observation Mission Report” on the parliamentary election in Bangladesh, which took place in December 2008. The report, released on 15 February 2008, is based on the mission by the organisation to ensure free and fair elections in the country. Below is its extract.

The 29 December 2008 election in Bangladesh is the result of years of political tensions in the country. While there has been a long history of violence and conflict in Bangladeshi politics, the past two years have seen a deadlock state of emergency backed by the military. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and its member organisations were deeply concerned about continuing human rights violations in Bangladesh due to the state of emergency and the enacting of emergency laws. This election provides an opportunity for the return of democratic rule in Bangladesh.

FORUM-ASIA has deployed international mission to observe the election with the objective of ensuring free and fair elections in Bangladesh, report on the credibility of the election to the parliament and offer recommendations for improving the electoral process in Bangladesh. Following are the mains concerns noted in the report:

• Though Election Commission had taken nearly two years to update voters list, it was found that names of some eligible citizens were either missing or it was impossible to locate the name in the electoral roll. The practical effect was that these persons could not exercise the right to
  vote.
• There were concerns that some national observers were unlawfully restricted in their access to a wide range of constituencies, while international teams were given a wider scope.
• No facility was provided to officers and the members of the police and para-military force (the total number will come to millions) to exercise their right to vote, as they were involved in ensuring a peaceful election process. In many countries the provision for postal vote was included in the election rules so as to ensure the voting rights of these people.
• Another disturbing factor is that about 68,000 prison inmates were not able to vote since there was neither postal vote nor special pooling booths in prisons.

This mission contributed to FORUM-ASIA's objective of strengthening the capacity of its member organisations towards supporting democracy, governance and peace processes.

To read the complete report, please click here.