OBSERVERS PRAISE LOCAL ELECTIONS, SUGGEST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000874 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM PINR PINT BG SUBJECT: OBSERVERS PRAISE LOCAL ELECTIONS, SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS FOR UPCOMING PARLIAMENT POLL REF: DHAKA 834 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Foreign and domestic observers of the August 4 local government elections gave a qualified thumbs up. They applauded the peaceful environment of the vote, which the domestic observers proclaimed as a step forward toward restoring Bangladesh's electoral system. Still, observers acknowledged numerous glitches in the electoral process and made several suggestions to improve the system in time for the Parliamentary election scheduled for December. Democracy programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and other donor organizations will address many of the problems cited by the observers in the run-up to that election. -------------- A QUALIFIED THUMBS UP -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On August 4, Bangladesh held elections for local mayors and councilors, the first vote held under the Caretaker Government and with a newly compiled voter registration list that included photos of 80.5 million people (reftel). The Election Working Group, a coalition of 33 domestic civil society groups that fielded more than 3,000 observers, said in a preliminary statement that the electoral process was "acceptable" with room for improvement. The statement, issued August 6, went on to say the vote was "an important step in a process towards restoring the integrity of electoral systems and processes in Bangladesh." Meanwhile, a draft letter from diplomatic observers, including members of the U.S. Embassy, to the Election Commission praised "a peaceful and generally successful election" while noting the need for improvements in voter registration, poll worker training, polling center management and voter education and access. -------------- MORE TRAINING, LOWER POLICE PROFILE NEEDED -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Although the observers did not find any systemic problems, they found many inconsistencies in the knowledge and performance of poll workers. Some, for example, demanded that voters present their national identification cards or voter registration numbers provided by candidate agents, neither of which were required. In many instances, accredited observers were not allowed into polling centers or were not allowed to view ballot counting. The Election Working Group proposed publication of a manual for polling officials that clearly explains their duties, as well as organization of a comprehensive training program for presiding officers and other polling officials. ¶4. (SBU) Both observer groups found some security forces behaving inappropriately at polling stations. Foreign observers cited instances of police and other security forces participating in the vote count, taking photos with their cell phones at polling stations, and standing close to voters as they cast their ballots. The Election Working Group said some security personnel "used excessive force" against voters and observers. In the letter to the Election Commission, the foreign observers suggested polling officials assert more authority over the management of polling centers to ensure security forces do not intimidate voters. ¶5. (SBU) Ten days after the election, the most serious remaining controversy concerned the race for mayor of Barisal. In that contest, an Awami League candidate just squeaked past a surprisingly strong performance by the candidate from the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP),which was formed in 2007 by politicians sympathetic with the reform program of the Caretaker Government. On August 12, the PDP announced plans to file a protest and to ask for a revote in several polling stations, claiming problems with the vote counting and the eligibility of the Awami League candidate. Syed Ashraful Islam, the acting general secretary of the Awami League, earlier alleged to PolOff that the PDP candidate polled strongly in part by handing out money to local officials and candidates for lower-tier council races. -------------- -------------- CONCLUSION: U.S. AND OTHER DONORS IN STRONG POSITION TO HELP DHAKA 00000874 002 OF 002 -------------- -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The hard work by the U.S. Embassy and other foreign donors to help the Election Commission improve Bangladesh's electoral system clearly paid off with a generally successful election for local government. The donor community should do even more to help the Election Commission ensure the upcoming Parliament vote is viewed as free and fair. The USG plans to spend $5.6 million in the run-up to and immediate aftermath of that election to, among other things, train about 500,000 political party polling agents and help candidates understand new electoral rules. In addition, donor funding pooled by the United Nations Development Program will train polling officers. As a result, there is good reason to believe the kinks in the electoral system observed in the August 4 vote can be ironed out in time for the critical Parliament election. Moriarty