330 international observers to monitor Bangladesh election

A total of 330 international observers will monitor the thirteenth national parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter, scheduled for February 12.

The press wing of the chief adviser’s office confirmed this on Saturday, November 3. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and five other international bodies have agreed to send at least 63 observers. Additionally, 32 individual observers affiliated with the European Union, 16 countries, and various international organisations will be present.

This brings the total number of international observers to 330, more than double the figure from the controversial election of January 7, 2024, which saw a relatively low observer presence. For context, the 12th national election had 158 observers, the 11th had 125, and the 10th had only four.

The OIC team will be led by Shakir Mahmood Bandar, head of the organisation's election observation unit. Other groups include the Asian Network for Free Elections with 28 observers, the Commonwealth Secretariat with 25, the US-based International Republican Institute with seven, and the National Democratic Institute with one.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Election Commission, another 32 individual observers will represent organisations such as Voice for Justice, Democracy International, and the Polish Institute of International Affairs.

Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed, who is overseeing the visit, stated that they expect the number of observers to increase further, as several invited countries have yet to confirm their delegates.

Over 50 political parties and independent candidates, totalling nearly 2,000 contenders, are competing for 300 parliamentary seats. The national election and the referendum will be held on the same day.