"UNDP, European Union, Commonwealth, USA, Australia and Canada have expressed their interests to observe the next parliamentary elections," Abdur Rashid Sarkar, secretary of the EC Secretariat, told reporters yesterday at his office.

Meanwhile, a two-member delegation of the Commonwealth Secretariat met the EC and discussed the facilities and security of the foreign observers during their monitoring of the polls.

The delegation talked about the facilities in terms of the observers' movement and enquired whether there would be any restriction, Syed Sharfuddin, special adviser and head of Asia and Europe section of Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat, told reporters emerging from the meeting.

"We have been assured that the procedure that has been followed previously will also be maintained this time," he added.

The delegation, however, did not say specifically whether they would send any team to observe the pre-election situation. "We will report to the Commonwealth Secretariat about our visit and the secretariat will decide about it."

Talking to the reporters, the EC secretary that the EC has assured the Commonwealth delegation of providing security to the observers when they will visit remote areas. "The deputy commissioner and superintendent of police concerned will ensure it," he said.

Asked whether the delegation expressed concern on law and order situation, the secretary replied in the negative.

Meanwhile, the Australian high commissioner in Dhaka met Election Commissioner SM Zakaria yesterday afternoon. The high commissioner, however, denied saying anything about the discussion.