The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Japanese poll observers Tuesday said the parliament election in Bangladesh was conducted in a free, fair, peaceful and orderly manner.

Briefing reporters on their election observation at the National Press Club, leader of a 7-member Japanese observation mission Goji Sakamoto said their mission visited 18 constituencies in five districts-Dhaka, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Gazipur and Munshiganj. And everywhere they found peaceful elections and cooperation among polling agents to make the election successful.

Asked about BNP allegation of irregularities in 72 constituencies, Sakamoto said they visited eight polling stations in Dhaka city and did not witnesses any such thing as alleged by the losing party.

"We found cooperation among polling agents to prevent any forged action and efforts to make the election successful," he said.

He noted that a flawless voter list and reforms by the caretaker government and the election commission contributed to holding free and fair polls.

However, the Japanese mission leader suggested that the present voter list need to be updated regularly for the future elections.

Sakamoto, Member of the House of Representatives of their parliament, hoped that the will of the people would be respected and majority and minority parties would work together for democratization and economic development of Bangladesh.

He said Japan would continue its support to Bangladesh for further development of the country.

Other members of the mission were Akihiro Nishimura, Member of the House of Representatives, Matsushshiro Horiguchi, former Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mosaaki Obashi, Professor of Keisen University, Masato Otaka, Director of South Asia division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Koji Sugiyama, Deputy Director, Southwest Asia Division of the Foreign Ministry. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Masayuki Inoue was present.