55,000 domestic observers approved for election monitoring

The Election Commission has approved 55,454 domestic observers to monitor the referendum and the 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. The observers will represent 81 EC-registered organisations.

Of them, 7,997 will serve as central observers, while 47,457 will monitor the election locally on a constituency basis.

The information was disclosed in a letter signed on Monday by EC secretariat director of public relations and information officer Md Ruhul Amin Mallik. The letter states that strict rules will apply to entry into polling centres on election day, with access limited to registered voters of the centre and those carrying EC-approved identity cards.

The Election Commission has launched an online portal to issue observer ID cards and vehicle stickers. All observers from the approved organisations must apply online by February 3. After verification, observers will be able to download and print their cards and stickers.

Observers must strictly follow the Election Observation Guidelines 2025 and maintain neutrality throughout the process. They are prohibited from interfering in election activities, entering voting booths or displaying any political affiliation.