International Observers Monitor Bangladesh Elections

As Bangladesh prepares for its 13th parliamentary election tomorrow, 12 February, a significant international presence has arrived to monitor the democratic process. A total of 394 international observers and 197 foreign journalists are currently in the country to cover both the general election and the simultaneous referendum on the national charter.

The Chief Advisor’s Press Wing confirmed these figures on Wednesday, 11 February, highlighting the unprecedented scale of international scrutiny. Among the observers, 80 represent various international organisations, 239 are bilateral country appointees, and 51 are associated with global institutions.

This year’s observer contingent is more than double the number that monitored the controversial 7 January 2024 election. By comparison, the 12th parliamentary election saw 158 international observers, the 11th had 125, and the 10th election only four. The presence of such a large observer mission underscores growing international attention on Bangladesh’s electoral transparency.

The major observer groups and their deployments are summarised below:

Observers hail from 21 countries in addition to the European Union. Notable contributors include Pakistan (8), Sri Lanka (11), Turkey (13), Malaysia (6), Japan (4), Iran (3), Nigeria (4), South Africa (2), among others.

Senior Secretary and Observer Coordination Officer Lamia Morshed stated, “The scale and diversity of observers from multiple countries and organisations reflect global confidence in Bangladesh’s interim government to conduct a free, fair, and participatory election.”

Several prominent international figures are participating, including Ghana’s former President Nana Akufo-Addo, Bhutan’s Chief Election Commissioner Deky Pema, Turkey’s former Ambassador Mehmet Vakur Erkul, and the United Kingdom’s former Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Lords, Lord Richard Newby. High-ranking representatives from Malaysia and Iran, as well as other distinguished personalities, are also in attendance.

This election features over 2,000 candidates, including independents from more than 50 political parties. The concurrent referendum on the national charter adds an additional layer of significance to the electoral proceedings, making tomorrow a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s democratic calendar.