Bangladesh to hold world's largest democratic election: German ambassador

German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz today said that Bangladesh is set to hold the world's largest democratic election next year.

Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, Lotz said the polls would be an enormously important step for Bangladesh, both regionally and globally.

"More than 127 million people will be allowed to vote to express their democratic will. And with that, the country has a chance to join back into the league of democratic nations in Asia and in the world," he said.

The German ambassador praised the Election Commission's preparations, calling the task an "enormous challenge." "I wish the EC good luck and I wish good luck to the people of Bangladesh in their return to democracy," he added.

When asked whether the election would be inclusive, Lotz said, "We think that the country needs a credible election, a credible election in which a plurality of parties can participate."