Election free and fair: US observer

Jim Bates, an election observer from the US, has described the 12th national election as “free and fair.”

"I would like to say it is a free and fair election already," he told.
 
“So when they say ‘low turnout,’ that’s something to manoeuvre the press,” Bates said.

 

“The thing they keep talking about is low turnout, that is a misnomer. In some countries, voting goes on until 5/6pm or even months,” he added.

Foreign observers visited several centres on Sunday (Jan 7). 

“At this point, it looks peaceful. Hopefully that will remain the case throughout the day,” said another observer.

Around 127 foreign observers are currently in Dhaka to observe the 12th national election.