Dhaka: Election Monitoring Forum (EMF), a platform of 31 polls monitoring oranisations registered with the Election Commission, on Thursday claimed that the parliamentary elections were held in a free, fair, peaceful and festive manner.

Forum Executive Director Prof Mawlana Md Abed Ali came up with the claim in a report on the election observance presented at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club, reports the UNB.

The report was compiled based on monitoring of 17,165 polling centres in 239 constituencies out of total 299, he said.

“The presence of voters in the centres which were monitored was satisfactory and no unpleasant situation was noticed there,” Abed Ali said.

Mentioning that the overall behaviour of the candidates was cautious, he said, “Some contestants were harassed by law enforcers on the excuse of cases which was unexpected. The Election Commission failed to take quick action in this regard.”

The report also said the magistrates, presiding officers, polling officers and the other administrative officers involved in the election process helped the forum work properly during the election. “They didn’t create any obstacles to us.”

Abed Ali also thanked and greeted the EC on behalf of their organisations for holding the election with utmost efficiency.

The forum also recommended that the Election Commission (EC) give minimum honorarium to the observers in all of the upcoming elections.

It some recommendations, including strengthening the EC and law enforcement agencies, meting out punishment to those involved in election violence and compensating the families of the victims, to hold fair elections.

The press conference was also attended by SAARC Human Rights Foundation Director Md Masum Chowdhury, EMF coordinator Monir Hossain, Human Rights activist Md Zayed Hossain, Md Shahidul Islam, Khadakar Faruk Ahmed and Sultana Razia Rila.