The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Ambassadors of three Scandinavian countries Monday visited voter registration centers in Bogra and witnessed the registration process.

Ambassador of Denmark Einar Jensen, Ambassador of Norway Ms Ingebjorg Stofring, and Ambassador of Sweden Brit Hagstrom visited the voter registration centers in Bogra. The visit was an ongoing part of the Ambassadors' efforts to support free and fair elections in Bangladesh.

The preparation of a credible electoral roll is a key element for holding free and fair elections. That is why Norway, Sweden and Denmark together have contributed more than Tk 18.7 crore (US$2.7 million) towards the completion of the photo voter list, said Swedish Ambassador Brit Hagstrom on behalf of the Ambassadors.

"We have all been very impressed by the registration work carried out here in Bogra today by the Bangladesh Election Commission and by local NGOs' voter motivation campaign," he said.

"As old friends of Bangladesh, we believe in the potential of this country and its people. The people of Bangladesh deserve the right to freely and fairly choose its government in a timely manner. We urge the government to work towards full restoration of civil and political rights as soon as possible."

"My colleagues and I welcome the Chief Adviser's decision to relax the ban on indoor politics. We are convinced that the full participation of political parties is necessary for a truly successful electoral and political reform process."

It may be mentioned that Denmark, Norway and Sweden, together with other development partners, will contribute through a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project called "Preparation of Electoral Roll with Photographs (PERP)" to support the completion of the voter list The PERP project will be implemented by the Election Commission of Bangladesh. The project will help to establish the technical infrastructure and other requirements necessary to complete the photo voter list This include funding for ICT equipment, such as laptops, webcams and fingerprint scanners, required for completing the nationwide digital voter registration.