In some municipalities, candidates are exploiting the government machinery for reaping election benefits, said the Brotee and Fema officials at a joint press conference at the National Press Club yesterday.

Fema President Munira Khan said "In some areas of the country voters belonging to the minority community are being intimidated."

She said Fema would deploy 2000 full-time election observers in 117 municipalities with a view to gathering reliable information regarding the election.

Speaking at the press conference, Chief Executive of Brotee Sharmin Murshid urged the government to disqualify the corrupt candidates who thumb their nose at the election rules.

She also called on the members of parliament (MPs) and the ministers to refrain from influencing the municipality polls and the candidates to be respectful of the election result as it comes.

She said Brotee will deploy 407 mobile election observers and would review the pre- and post-election situation.

Information based on the election observation will be passed on to the Election Commission (EC), the government, political parties and civil society members, Sharmin added.

Executive Member of Brotee Dr Atiur Rahman said "The consolidation of democracy depends on how efficiently and transparently we handle our elections -- from local level to the national level."

Citing the example of India, Dr Atiur said "The role of EC must be strengthened in order to have a healthy democracy." He also emphasised the role of election monitoring for the election results to be acceptable to all parties involved.

Vice President of the Fema Aftabul Islam and its General Secretary MA Matin attended the press conference among others.

Odhikar, another NGO, will also monitor the election at 13 out of 117 municipalities. The Odhikar team will reach the election areas on May 4. It will monitor especially the incidents relating to human rights violation.