Dhaka, Feb. 12 -- European Union Election Observation Mission Chief Ivars Ijabs has described election day as a "big day" for Bangladesh's democracy.

The 13th parliamentary election and the fourth referendum are being held across the country on Thursday. EU election observers are monitoring the voting process.

Around 7:30am, a delegation led by Ijabs visited the Siddheswari Girls' College polling centre in the capital to observe voting activities.

After the visit, he said, "Today is a big day for Bangladesh's democracy. We are all looking forward to an acceptable and fair election based on everyone's participation."

Asked about his initial observations, he said: "The polling centre here (Siddheswari Girls' College) opened on time. Not...