Speaking to  Deutsche Welle (DW), Rensje Teerink, the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, said: "I have always been told that when Bangladesh gears up for elections, there will be political turmoil and mass demonstrations on the streets. But so far, I must say, it has been quite calm."

She said: "We remain hopeful and we welcome these elections. It's good that the opposition is participating in the elections this time round. And we're confident and hopeful that it will be a genuine, credible, transparent and inclusive election."

Speaking on the EU observer team, she said: "No, we're not sending an observer team. That's because sending a credible observer mission is a very big operation. It requires a big number of observers and months of preparation. So, in budgetary terms, it's quite expensive. And it takes a lot of effort and preparation. We have therefore decided not to send a team this time round. That doesn't mean that we're not going to follow these elections. We will definitely be paying close attention to the developments in the country."

"Furthermore, Bangladesh has good local observers, who probably are going to do an excellent job monitoring the elections," the EU envoy said.

Bangladesh is scheduled to vote to elect a new government on Dec 30.

Unlike 2014, when the party had boycotted the polls, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Hasina's arch-rival Khaleda Zia, is participating in the polls this year.

Rensje Teerink said the EU will like to see Bangladesh develop into a stable and prosperous place for its citizens.

"The country has performed exceedingly well when it comes to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Its economic expansion over the past decade has been impressive. So we would like to see the country develop into a stable and prosperous place for all Bangladeshis," she said.

BNP and Khaleda Zia in Prison:

BNP leader and ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia is in prison at present. She was jailed in February on corruption charges.

She was sent to the prison by a Bangladesh court  for allegedly being involved in a scam that involved an orphanage fund she established during her term as Bangladesh's PM from 1991 to 1996.

The High Court extended sentence to 10 years in October.

Hence, Zia's participation in the polls this year remains uncertain.

Her BNP has joined the opposition alliance named National Oikya Front that is expected to challenge Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League in the election this year.

Sheikh Hasina and Awami League look to remain in power:

Already running the nation for two consecutive terms, Hasina and her Awami League will focus to return to power in the country for another time.

On Wednesday, Sheikh Hasina said people of Bangladesh will judge the developmental works by the Awami League during their tenure.

"I believe we have brought good days. But we still have a long way to go. We must develop the country more,” Hasina was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com during an event at Dhaka Cantonment on Armed Forces Day.

Speaking at the event, she said poverty in Bangladesh has dropped to 21 percent from 40 percent during her tenure.  

The government has now targeted to alleviate poverty by another 5 percentage points, Hasina was quoted as saying by the website.

Interestingly, Hasina recently held talks with opposition parties over the polls.

"During the talks, the opposition raised several demands, such as the dissolution of the current parliament and handing over power to a caretaker government as well as the release of political prisoners, including Zia," reported DW.

However, she rejected accepting oppositon's main demands.
 
Bangladeshi political analyst Badiul Alam Majumder told DW: "The positive thing is that a political dialogue between the two sides actually took place."

Majumder said: "Those who believe that everything will be solved in just one meeting are wrong."

As per The Daily Star report, Oikyafront, who are moving with a 7-point demand, say they will continue movement for their demands and take part in election side by side.

At present, it seems that the polls will take place under the Hasina administration.