A P Abritty :

German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz today said seven German nationals will join the long-term European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) for Bangladesh, with additional German observers arriving during polling days to monitor the electoral process.

Speaking to reporters at the German embassy here, the envoy said a “large EU mission” is being deployed for the upcoming national election and that Germany will contribute “a significant number” of observers throughout various phases of the process.

He said the long-term segment of the EU mission will include seven German observers arriving in January, while “many more” short-term observers will join nearer to the election days.

“I think it is very important to have this kind of international support,” he said.

Lotz emphasized the importance of a peaceful political environment, saying, “All parties must refrain from violence in the political process. A peaceful environment is a basic requirement for free and fair elections.”

The ambassador said Germany supports Bangladesh’s electoral process through the EU mission and commended the interim government’s stated commitment to steering the country toward credible polls.

In response to a question, he said the German observers would operate under the EU delegation.

He said that there will be no separate German mission; all German observers will work within the EU EOM framework.”