Bangladesh to host 57 election observers from 16 countries

Bangladesh will receive 57 election observers from 16 countries ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the July Charter referendum on 12 February.

Also, hundreds of monitors from the EU, Commonwealth and other international organizations are joining as observers.

Malaysia is sending the largest delegation of 14 observers, while Türkiye will send 12. Other countries sending observers include Indonesia, 5, Japan, 4, Pakistan, 3, Bhutan, 2, Maldives, 2, Sri Lanka, 1, Philippines, 2, Jordan, 2, Iran, 1, Georgia, 2, Russia, 2, Kyrgyzstan, 2, Uzbekistan, 1 and South Africa, 2. Among them are senior election officials such as Mohammad Jalal Sikandar Sultan, Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, and Deki Pema, Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan.

The Commonwealth Observer Group will be led by former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, and the EU Election Observation Mission by Latvian MEP Ivars Ijabs.

Nearly 2,000 candidates are contesting 300 seats, with the election held alongside the national referendum, highlighting Bangladesh’s focus on a transparent and credible voting process.