In anticipation of tomorrow’s 13th general election and referendum on the July National Charter, at least 394 international election monitors and 197 foreign journalists have traveled to Bangladesh.
According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing today, 239 of the international observers are from bilateral nations, including independent European observers, 80 are representatives of various international organizations, and 51 are individuals connected to various international organizations.
The number of international observers for the upcoming polls is more than double that of the controversial general election held on January 7, 2024.
By comparison, the 12th, 11th, and 10th general elections were monitored by 158, 125, and just four international observers respectively.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has sent one observer, the Commonwealth Secretariat has sent 27, the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) has sent 19, and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has sent 28.
The European External Action Service has one observer, the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) has two, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has two.
In addition to the European Union, observers are arriving from 21 countries, including Pakistan (8), Bhutan (2), Sri Lanka (11), Nepal (1), Indonesia (3), the Philippines (2), Malaysia (6), Jordan (2), Trkiye (13), Iran (3), Georgia (2), Russia (2), China (3), Japan (4), South Korea (2), Kyrgyzstan (2), Uzbekistan (2), South Africa (2), and Nigeria (4).
Fifty-one observers representing organizations such as Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, the SAARC Human Rights Foundation, and the Polish Institute of International Affairs will monitor the election in their individual capacities, according to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Election Commission.
“We are overwhelmed by the response from countries and organizations sending election observers,” said Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, who is supporting the coordination of international observer visits.
“This reflects the confidence of the global community in Bangladesh’s Interim Government to hold a free, fair, and participatory election,” she added.
Lamiya Morshed also said that beyond the number of observers, their quality was particularly encouraging.
“Many of the observers have extensive experience and high credentials in election monitoring worldwide. This is very reassuring for us,” she said.
Iranian parliamentarian Behnam Saeedi, a member of the Presiding Board of the Commission on Foreign Policy and National Security, is among the notable high-level participants, along with former President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan Deki Pema, former Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mehmet Vakur Erkul, former Government Deputy Chief Whip in the UK House of Lords Lord Richard Newby, and Election Commission of Malaysia official Ramlan Bir Harun.
Over 2,000 candidates are running for the parliamentary seats, representing more than 50 political parties and independent candidates. A referendum on the July National Charter will take place concurrently with the general election.
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