DHAKA: A two-day regional meeting of the top election commission officials of the SAARC states begins on May 29 in the capital, in a maiden effort of peering among the kingmakers.

Bangladesh Election Commission is hosting the meet where Chief Election Commissioners from eight member-states will discuss what they said “regional cooperation”.

“Our aim is to exchange information, experiences and possible avenues for regional cooperation,” said M Humayun Kabir, secretary of the EC, while addressing a pre-meet press briefing at the EC Secretariat Wednesday.

Bangladesh is eyeing an ‘institutional framework’ by sharing experiences from recent elections for increased cooperation between the Election Commissions in the SAARC region.

The Chief Election Commissioners of Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, India and the Maldives are expected to attend the function, excepting Sri Lanka as its position is vacant.

Chairperson of South African Electoral Commission and Head of Democracy Section of Commonwealth will also participate in the meet.   

Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed will inaugurate the function, which will also be attended by Election Commission Secretaries of the SAARC member-states.

BDST: 1835 HRS. May 26, 2010
AKR/ FA/MUA