EC must be more cautious in registering election monitoring organisations

The Election Commission (EC) has already begun preparations ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Recently, the EC published the “Election Observation Policy 2025.” It states that in order to be registered as an “observer organisation” for “election observation,” several mandatory guidelines under the Representation of the People Order of 1972 must be strictly followed. Among these is the requirement of a registered office with a proper name and address. Yet, as reported in the media on 30 September (Tuesday), applications have been submitted by so-called observer organisations that have no office at all—some showing their own residence, some an abandoned room, and others even an under-construction building as their official address.

Following the EC’s public notice calling for applications for registration of observer organisations to ensure transparency, accountability and acceptability in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, 318 institutions applied to work as election observers. After scrutiny, the EC has considered 73 of them as eligible for registration. According to the EC’s public notice published in newspapers, any objection regarding these organisations must be submitted in writing within 15 working days (by 20 October 2025).

However, media investigations have revealed that most of the institutions initially shortlisted are small and lacking in capacity. Some had shown their own residence, some an abandoned room, and others an under-construction building as their official address when applying. A probe into 43 of the 73 shortlisted organisations found that 7 did not have any office at the stated address. In 6 organisations, the executives had shown their residence or a single room as the office. Only 6 institutions were found to have 50 or more staff members. Many are surviving with a one-room or two-room office. Only a handful of institutions have any prior experience of election monitoring.

The question is, why were such nominal organisations not excluded from the EC’s shortlist? What exactly did the EC verify in its scrutiny? The names of organisations with political party affiliations have also appeared in the observer list. How could this happen? Election expert and former member of the Election System Reform Commission Abdul Alim told the media that the EC’s list is preliminary—some may be excluded after hearings and some new applicants may be included.

Even so, it can certainly be said that there has already been a lapse at the very outset. Abdul Alim further said that while an organisation may not have prior experience in election monitoring, its capacity must be examined. But the question is, how can there be capacity without experience? And those who resort to irregularities right from the start—what will they do later? We want the EC to be more cautious regarding observer organisations. Registration should be granted only after a more rigorous scrutiny process. If any negligence by observer organisations causes disrepute, the EC too will share the blame.

Election observation is an extremely important process. It reflects not only the environment on polling day but also the overall picture of upholding democratic standards throughout the election. Both domestic and international observer organisations play a vital role in making elections acceptable. Therefore, any form of negligence in this matter is simply not acceptable.