EU to monitor Bangladesh elections

The EU will send over 150 observers to monitor elections in Bangladesh.

On Wednesday, the EU ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Stephen Frowein underlined the importance of European assistance.

"It is so important that the election is free, fair and transparent but time is running out," the EU diplomat warned.

Last weekend Bangladesh was brought to a virtual standstill by the second general strike in a week.

Clashes in the capital, Dhaka followed a strike called by the Awami League and allies in the opposition.

The government is due to hand over to an unelected interim administration in October that will run the polls that are expected to take place in January.

But the opposition says the ruling alliance, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, is preparing to pack the caretaker government with its supporters and it wants the interim administration appointed on the basis of consensus.

Dr Frowein called for free elections where people could freely vote for the change if they wished but warned the opposition against boycotting elections.

"A boycott is very dangerous - it may lead to other problems. If you do not participate, you run the risk of creating a situation that will be difficult to control," he told reporters.

The first EU exploratory mission could arrive in Dhaka as early as June to evaluate the pre-election situation.

On Thursday Bangladeshi foreign minister, Morshed Khan will be in Brussels for talks with EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

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