DHAKA, Nov 19, 2023 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has informed the visiting Commonwealth pre-election assessment mission of the polls preparation as the 12th parliamentary election will be held on January 7.

A four-member delegation of the pre-election assessment team of the Commonwealth was informed about the 12th parliamentary polls as it held a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and other election commissioners at the Nirbachan Bhaban here today.

Following the meeting, Linford Andrews, adviser and head of the Electoral Support of Governance and Peace Directorate of the Commonwealth (staff team leader), said they will make recommendations regarding Bangladesh's polls to the Commonwealth secretary general to decide next steps.

"We are mainly here to know the polls preparations. We are observing the existing situation. We will leave the country on November 22," he said, adding that a good discussion was held on how much Bangladesh can help if Commonwealth observers come.

He further said that before leaving Bangladesh, they will hold discussions with other stakeholders on Bangladesh's upcoming polls and its preparations.

Other members of Commonwealth team, including Lindiwe Maleleka, political adviser, Electoral Support Section, Zippy Ojago, executive officer, Electoral Support Section and Sarthak Roy, assistant research officer, Political Division (Asia) were present, among others, on the occasion.