Foreign observers note peaceful voting, voter enthusiasm in Bangladesh polls

Foreign election observers reported a peaceful environment and voter enthusiasm as Bangladesh voted in its 13th national parliamentary election and a referendum on the July National Charter on Thursday, 12 February 2026.

Voting began at 7:30am and is scheduled to continue until 4:30pm.

The European Union Election Observation Mission stated that, up to noon, it had observed 'positive enthusiasm' among voters.

After visiting the Curzon Hall polling centre at the University of Dhaka, EU Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs said, 'Up until noon today, we have seen positive enthusiasm for participation among Bangladeshi citizens.'

He said the mission would publish its preliminary report on Saturday, 14 February.

'The mission remains fully neutral and is not involved in any political process,' he said, adding: 'We are observing the election and later, on 14 February, we will produce a preliminary report on how the election has been conducted.'

Ijabs stated that the mission had been receiving information from its observers deployed across the country and had started compiling data for its observation report.

Members of the EU mission entered the Curzon Hall polling centre at 11:50am, where the presiding officer showed them the voting process. They stayed for approximately 10 minutes and spoke with polling officials.

Former Ghana president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo visited Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in the morning and observed what he described as a peaceful environment and voter enthusiasm.

A Malaysian Election Commission official, Ramlan Bir Harun, also visited the Dhaka Residential Model College polling centre with his team in the morning and stated that he had seen a peaceful environment.

Expressing satisfaction over turnout, Harun said he expected voter participation to rise by the end of the day. He noted that turnout at 11:30am was less than 20%.

Mohd Shuhada Othman, High Commissioner of Malaysia, was also present with the Malaysian team.

The Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan, Deki Pema, told The Business Standard at the Dhaka Residential Model College centre that she had observed enthusiasm among voters.

More than 2,000 candidates—representing over 50 political parties and independent contenders—are contesting parliamentary seats. The general election is being held simultaneously with the referendum on the July National Charter.

At least 394 international election observers and 197 foreign journalists have arrived in Bangladesh to observe the election and referendum, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing.

Of the international observers, 80 represent international organisations, 239 are from bilateral countries—including independent European observers—and 51 are individuals affiliated with different global institutions, the press wing stated.

The number of international observers is more than double that of the general election held on 7 January 2024, it added. By comparison, the 12th, 11th, and 10th general elections were monitored by 158, 125, and four international observers respectively.

Key organisations sending observer missions include the Asian Network for Free Elections, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Republican Institute, and the National Democratic Institute, alongside other organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, according to information shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Election Commission.

'We are overwhelmed by the response from countries and organisations sending election observers,' said Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, who is supporting the coordination of observer visits.

'This reflects the confidence of the global community in Bangladesh's interim government to hold a free, fair, and participatory election,' she added.

Morshed also stated that, beyond the number of observers, their credentials were encouraging, noting that many have extensive experience in election monitoring worldwide.

Notable high-level participants include former Ghana president Akufo-Addo, Bhutan's Chief Election Commissioner Deki Pema, Malaysia's Election Commission official Ramlan Bir Harun, and other international figures listed by the authorities.