, Feb. 14 -- Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh Ivars Ijabs on Saturday described the national election as 'credible, hugely and genuinely competitive and pluralistic' but observed that there was lack of proper women's representation.

"Parliamentary elections were credible and competently managed, marking a pivotal step towards restoring democratic governance and rule of law," he told reporters at a city hotel.

Ijabs noted that for the first time since 2008, elections were genuinely competitive, conducted under a renewed legal framework that largely accords with international standards and with fundamental freedom broadly respected.

however, said sporadic, localised political violen...