EC cancels registration of 96 controversial election observation organizations

The Election Commission (EC) has officially cancelled the registration of 96 controversial election observation organizations previously registered under the Awami League government.

The move follows the announcement of the new Domestic Observer Policy-2025, issued on Thursday (July 17), replacing the 2023 policy under which the organizations were registered. EC Public Relations Director Md Shariful Alam confirmed that the new policy nullifies all registrations granted under the previous guidelines.

The organizations were enlisted in two phases in December 2023 during the tenure of former Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal. However, many of the groups faced allegations of political affiliation and lack of neutrality.

After the change in government on August 5, 2024, the AMM Nasir Uddin-led commission initiated efforts to ensure transparency in the electoral process. As part of this reform, the EC opted to annul all previous observer registrations and draft a stricter policy framework for future accreditation.

The cancelled organizations include: Human Rights and Social Development Organization, Sheba Social Foundation, Agradut Organization, Activity for Reform of Basic Needs, Democracy Watch, National Election Monitoring Council, Abdul Momen Memorial Foundation, SDAP, Lutfar Rahman Bhuiyan Foundation, Youth Unnayan Organization, SK Kalyani Foundation, Society for Social Advancement of Rural People, Development Helping Key, Bachte Shekha, Institute for Environment and Development, Gender and Environment Management Society, Social Development and Training Center, Development of Women Society, Integrated Women’s Development Organization, Society for Human Improvement and Lasting Development, and many others.

Notable among others whose registration was revoked are: Development Organization of the Rural Poor (DROP), SAARC Human Rights Foundation, Election Monitoring Forum, Jago Foundation Trust, Nari Unnayan Sangstha, Sufia Hanif Foundation, Social Advancement Community Organization (SACO), Bean Money Society, and Sabhar Tare Amara Foundation (STAF).

Additionally, organizations such as Agraha Seva Sangstha (ASES), Al-Quran Prochar Sangstha (AKOPS) Bangladesh, International Asaf Legal Aid Foundation, Bangladesh Human Rights Coordination Council (BAMASP), and several others have also lost their registration status.

The EC has been accrediting domestic observers since 2008, with 138 organizations initially registered. Under the new policy, the commission will invite fresh applications ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election.