EC to finalise draft guideline for foreign observers in September

Desk News :: The Election Commission on Wednesday said that it would finalise the draft of changes to the existing guidelines for foreign election observers and journalists in September.

The commission came up with the discloser after an inter-ministerial meeting at the commission.

EC additional secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath told reporters that the commission officials held a meeting with the representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, home affairs and the information and broadcasting and the National Board of Revenue at Nirbachan Bhaban in this regard.

He said that they have reviewed the existing policies.

There was a discussion about the need to update the policy in some cases, but no decision was made, he said, adding that this was the initial meeting.

‘A few more meetings are to be held soon. The draft guidelines will be finalised in the first week of September. It will then be taken to the commission for approval,’ he said.

He also said that issues such as making the rules helpful for observers, user friendly, were discussed in the meeting.

According to the EC’s preparation, the next general election will be held in December this year or January next year.