A total of 394 foreign observers and 197 journalists are in Dhaka to monitor the Bangladesh election
In contrast, the 12th, 11th, and 10th general elections were observed by 158, 125, and only four international monitors, respectively.
At least 394 international election observers and 197 foreign journalists have arrived in Bangladesh to monitor the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on the July National Charter, both set to take place on Thursday.
According to the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Wednesday (11 February), 80 of the observers represent various international organisations, 239 are from bilateral partner countries—including independent European observers—and 51 are affiliated with different global institutions in their individual capacities.
The number of international observers for the upcoming vote is more than double that of the much-debated general election held on 7 January 2024. In comparison, the 12th, 11th and 10th general elections were monitored by 158, 125 and only four international observers, respectively.
Major organisations deploying observer missions include the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) with 28 observers, the Commonwealth Secretariat with 27, the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) with 19, and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) with one.
Other participating bodies include the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), with two observers each, as well as the European External Action Service with one.
Beyond the European Union, observers are arriving from 21 countries, including Pakistan (8), Bhutan (2), Sri Lanka (11), Nepal (1), Indonesia (3), the Philippines (2), Malaysia (6), Jordan (2), Türkiye (13), Iran (3), Georgia (2), Russia (2), China (3), Japan (4), South Korea (2), Kyrgyzstan (2), Uzbekistan (2), South Africa (2), and Nigeria (4). In addition, 51 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 personal capacities, according to 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 Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs, who is assisting with the coordination of international observer visits.
“This demonstrates the confidence of the global community in Bangladesh’s Interim Government to conduct a free, fair and inclusive election,” she said.
She added that the calibre of the observers was particularly encouraging. “Many of them bring extensive global experience and strong credentials in election monitoring. That is very reassuring for us.”
High-profile participants include former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; Bhutan’s Chief Election Commissioner Deki Pema; former Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mehmet Vakur Erkul; former UK House of Lords Deputy Chief Whip Lord Richard Newby; Malaysian Election Commission official Ramlan Bin Harun; and Iranian MP Behnam Saeedi, a member of the Presiding Board of the Commission on Foreign Policy and National Security.
More than 2,000 candidates—representing over 50 political parties as well as independent contenders—are vying for parliamentary seats.
The general election will be held alongside the referendum on the July National Charter.
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