ELECTIONS REPORTING AND ANALYSIS: ADDITIONAL

UNCLAS DHAKA 000024

SIPDIS

FOR SCA AND NEA/SCA/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGMT AFIN KDEM BG
SUBJECT: ELECTIONS REPORTING AND ANALYSIS: ADDITIONAL
FUNDING MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

REF: A. 08 STATE 134958

B. 08 DHAKA 1234

C. 08 DHAKA 1286

D. 08 DHAKA 1298

E. 08 DHAKA 1321

F. 08 DHAKA 1325

G. 08 DHAKA 1326

H. 08 DHAKA 1334

I. 08 DHAKA 1336

J. 08 DHAKA 1337

K. 08 DHAKA 1344


1. Post appreciates Department kudos as communicated Ref A,
particularly in relation to Embassy Dhaka's pre-election
reporting (Refs B thru K).


2. Ref A notes: "Post's analysis of the electoral dynamics in
all the far-flung regions of Bangladesh was most impressive
and helpful. (...) Through this reporting, even from a
vantage point that was 8,000 miles distant, we were able to
gain a nuanced and detailed understanding of what was
happening in Bangladesh and what the people were actually
thinking."


3. We would not have been able to carry out our ambitious
reporting and elections monitoring plan were it not for the
additional resources NEA/SCA/EX provided for in-country
travel and TDY support.


4. With the USD 30,000 the Bureau provided, we were able to
send seven Pol/Econ and TDY officers, with LES support, on 12
pre-elections reporting trips between the end of November and
election day itself. Together, these trips covered all of
Bangladesh's six divisions and more than half of its 64
voting districts. While visiting a wide range of sometimes
remote bellwether constituencies within those districts,
Emboffs were able to meet with multiple candidates from
across the political spectrum on their home ground and obtain
grassroots feedback from both civil society representatives
and regular voters.


5. Further, on election day itself, we were able to send
Embassy observer teams - with interagency representation and
LES support - to each of Bangladesh's six divisions. Using
information and relationships established during pre-election
travel, the teams planned their observation activities
effectively and were able to visit an average of six polling
centers each on election day. They were in constant contact
with international and domestic observers on the ground and
provided Embassy Dhaka with real-time sitreps from the
opening of polls through the end of the vote-counting process.


6. Our ten pre-election reporting cables (Refs B thru K) and
the real-time input from Embassy observers on election day
helped us and Washington gain a much better understanding of
what was going on throughout the country in advance of the
election and afterwards. We were thus able to make sense of
the unexpected results. Post thanks NEA/SCA/EX for its
foresight in approving the additional funding.
MORIARTY