It'll send tremendous signal to world: Commonwealth about Bangladesh polls

Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group Nana Akufo-Addo on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the smooth beginning of vote casting at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College and hoped that this trend would continue throughout the day.

"So far so good," the Chairperson and former President of Ghana told reporters after observing the opening of polls.

Earlier, he said it will be a tremendous signal to the world, to South Asia, South East Asia, that Bangladesh is determined to Charter a democratic future and that has to be something that all of them who are democrats would wish for.

The Commonwealth Observer Group comprises the Chairperson and 12 other eminent persons drawn from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific. Members bring diverse professional backgrounds, including politics, civil society, election management, diplomacy, and law.

The Group will issue its interim statement on its preliminary findings on February 14.

The Commonwealth Observer Group Chairperson underscored the importance of youth participation, noting that Bangladesh has a predominantly youthful population, with a significant proportion of citizens under the age of 35.

"Their engagement in the electoral process is vital to the country's democratic future and will serve as an inspiration to young people across the Commonwealth who stand in solidarity," he said on Sunday.

The Commonwealth Observer Group to Bangladesh has commenced its observation of pre-poll arrangements and preparations for the forthcoming national election and referendum, reaffirming the Commonwealth's solidarity with the people of Bangladesh at this important moment in the country's democratic journey.

The Group arrived in Bangladesh on February 4 and will remain in the country until February 18.

As independent observers, the Group will assess the pre-election environment, polling day and the post-election period.

Members are deployed to selected divisions to observe the opening of polls, voting, closing, counting and the management of results.

Nana Akufo-Addo said he was honoured to have been invited by the Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, to serve as Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group for the elections and referendum.

Releasing his arrival statement in Dhaka, he noted that the elections are taking place at a significant time, following a period of political contestation, public debate on governance and institutional reform and the continued aspirations of citizens for transparent, inclusive, and credible democratic processes.

"Democracy remains one of the most important pillars of the Commonwealth, enshrined in its Charter, a fundamental global value rooted in the principle that people have the right to freely express their will and determine their own political, economic, social, and cultural systems," he said.

Since the Group's arrival, members have met representatives of the media, civil society, youth and women's groups, political parties and other stakeholders.