Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the European Union (EU) delegation held discussions with the party on the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and the country's development outlook after the polls.

A delegation of the EU held the meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan in the capital this evening. Nazrul briefed journalists about the meeting after it concluded.

The EU delegation expressed its intention to send an observer mission for the election, slated for February 12.

Describing the talks as "fruitful," Nazrul said the EU delegation wanted to know how the forthcoming election is expected to be held in Bangladesh and what role BNP would play in the electoral process. 

He added that the delegation also inquired about BNP's vision for national development in the post-election period.

He said the EU plans to deploy a large observer team in the forthcoming election and the delegation met the BNP Acting Chairman to discuss related issues.

Nazrul said BNP would actively participate in the upcoming election and has already completed necessary preparations.
 
He expressed the party's hope that people would be able to freely express their long-cherished wishes and aspirations through voting.

During the meeting, BNP's role in ensuring workers' welfare was highlighted. 

The EU representatives were informed that amendments to the Labour Code and the establishment of the Labour Welfare Foundation were undertaken during the tenure of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. 

BNP also reiterated its commitment to further modernising labour laws and improving workers' living standards in the future.

The delegation was led by EU Ambassador Michael Miller.

Payola Pamploni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific region, Monica Bajlait‚, Deputy Head for South Asia, Asia and the Pacific; and Legal Advisor Rastislav Spak were present.

From the BNP's end, member of the Chairperson's Advisory Council Ismail Jabullah, BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir and Acting Chairman's Advisor Mahdi Amin attended it.