Michael Miller-European Union in Bangladesh facebook page

Dhaka, Dec 2, 2025 (BSS) - European Union (EU) Ambassador Michael Miller today voiced optimism on holding a free and fair election in Bangladesh, saying it is the time for Dhaka to demonstrate that it can reverse the global trend of democratic backsliding.

Emerging from a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner here this morning, he was sharing his views with the newsmen on the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for next year.

While replying to a question by a BSS journalist, Miller said he thinks that all stakeholders in this country should be very focused on the possibility of holding the first free and fair elections in many many years. 

“What I want to pass as a message is that it is a moment for this country to show that it is bucking the trend on democratic backsliding,” he said.

This is a time when the country can change the narrative, can reset its reputation with its international partners and demonstrate that it can hold these elections in a very correct and professional manner, he added.

Asked about the overall situation of the country and measures taken by the Election Commission (EC) to hold a credible and fair polls, he said, "I'm very optimistic".

"We see that the election commission is thinking ahead about all the possible complexities on the day itself and they are taking all the mitigating measures that we can imagine," he added.

The EU ambassador said, "So this work continues...We still don't have an election schedule of course, but we are looking forward to that announcement and then we will continue to support the holding of the first democratic elections that Bangladesh has seen in a very long time."

The European Union supports timely, smooth and participatory elections, he said. “We see in such elections the great opportunity for Bangladesh to reset the narrative in terms of its own democratic path," he added.

"Just last weekend I had the privilege of joining the chief of the election commission when he conducted a mock exercise to be sure that the commission is ready for the holding of elections which will combine not only the popular vote but also of course the referendum on the July charter and I was impressed by the level of advanced preparation of the election commission and the advanced consideration of the logistical challenges that holding an election and a referendum on the same day," the ambassador said. 

Miller also said that the EU recognizes the commitment and the professionalism of the Bangladesh Election Commission and its capacity to run well prepared elections.

He said the EU is preparing to deploy a very large election observer mission to come to Bangladesh to observe what will be the largest democratic exercise of 2026 anywhere in the world. 

"This is a sign of our confidence in the election process and our support for elections in this wonderfully diverse country," he said.

About challenges in conducting a free and fair election, he said Bangladesh has a generation of citizens who did not take part in previous polls ...So you have a whole generation of individuals and maybe more who have never cast their vote. That will be a challenge because people need to understand what they're doing logistically on the day of the election, the day of the referendum itself,"

Earlier on 10:45 am, a four member delegation led by the EU Ambassador visited the Chief Election Commissioner at his office.

Deputy Head of delegation Baiba Zarina, First Secretary (Political) Sebastian Riger-Brown and European Commission Policy Officer Jules Seitz accompanied the EU ambassador.