Bangladesh elections will be genuine and credible: EU

The European Union (EU) has expressed confidence that the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh will be "genuine, credible and transparent."

Rensje Teerink, the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, recently commented: "I have always been told that when Bangladesh gears up for elections, there will be political turmoil and mass demonstrations on the streets. But so far, I must say, it has been quite calm."

In an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), the ambassador said: "We are confident and hopeful that it will be a genuine, credible, transparent and inclusive election."

General elections are scheduled to be held in Bangladesh on December 30 to elect members of the Jatiya Sangsad, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League hoping to remain in power for a third consecutive term.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Hasina's arch-rival Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since February over a graft case, boycotted the 2014 elections. The party has been demanding polls under a non-party government.

The EU is, however, optimist that the country of 170 million is strong enough to hold the Parliamentary elections democratically.

"Bangladesh has good local observers, who probably are going to do an excellent job monitoring the elections," Teerink told DW.

She added that the South Asian country has performed "exceedingly well when it comes to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Its economic expansion over the past decade has been impressive."

"We would like to see the country develop into a stable and prosperous place for all Bangladeshis," added the EU envoy.