The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A delegation of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) arrived here yesterday to assess preparations and observe election atmosphere ahead of the parliamentary polls.

The delegation, led by Sam Gejdenson, former US Congressman and current NDI Board Member, will stay here until November 19, said a press release. The other members of the team are Saumura Tioulong, Member of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Peter Manikas, Senior Associate and Regional Director for NDI's Asia Programmes, and Jacqueline Corcoran, NDI/ Bangladesh Senior Resident Director.

They will be assisted by Dileepan Siva, NDI Washington DC Programme Manager, and Najia Hashemee, NDI/Bangladesh Senior Programme Manager.

The delegation is likely to meet the representatives of the caretaker government and the Election Commission, leaders of political parties, representatives of domestic monitoring groups and other civic organizations, journalists and members of the diplomatic community.

The purpose of its assessment of the pre-election atmosphere is to demonstrate the interest and support of the international community for a peaceful and democratic election process in Bangladesh, and to provide an impartial report on the environment surrounding the upcoming elections and the state of electoral preparations.

NDI is an independent non-governmental organisation that has conducted more than 1000 nonpartisan pre-election, election-day and post-election monitoring around the world.