6 international organisations to deploy 63 observers for Bangladesh elections
The number of international observers confirmed for the upcoming election is more than double that of the controversial general election held on January 7, 2024.
Six international organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have agreed to deploy at least 63 observers for Bangladesh's 13th general election and the referendum on the July National Charter, both scheduled to be held in February.
They will join observer missions from the European Union, 16 countries and 32 individuals affiliated with various international organisations, bringing the total number of confirmed international observers for the dual polls to 330 so far, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing said today (31 January).
The number of international observers confirmed for the upcoming election is more than double that of the controversial general election held on 7 January 2024.
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In comparison, the number of international observers in Bangladesh's 12th, 11th and 10th general elections stood at 158, 125 and four, respectively.
Shakir Mahmood Bandar, head of the OIC Election Observation Unit, will lead the two-member OIC observer mission.
Other observer groups include 28 representatives from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), 25 from the Commonwealth Secretariat, seven from the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), and one from the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
Additionally, 32 observers representing organisations such as Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, the SAARC Human Rights Foundation and the Polish Institute of International Affairs will monitor the polls in their individual capacities, according to information received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Election Commission.
"We expect the number of international observers to increase, as several countries invited to send observer missions are yet to confirm the names of their delegates," said Lamiya Murshed, senior secretary and SDG coordinator, who is overseeing coordination of the international observer visits.
Countries yet to confirm their delegates include India, Nepal, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria and Romania.
The Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) is also expected to announce its delegation soon.
Nearly 2,000 candidates, representing more than 50 political parties as well as independent contenders, are contesting the 300 parliamentary seats.
The general election will be held simultaneously with a referendum on the July National Charter.
