Int’l observers focus on polls, referendum

Staff Reporter :

A large contingent of foreign observers are prepared to observe 13th general election and the referendum on the July National Charter, both scheduled to be held in February 12.

A total of 330 international observers have so far been confirmed to oversee the dual polls, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, making it one of the most closely watched elections in the country’s history.

Six international organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have agreed to deploy at least 63 observers.

These missions will be joined by observer teams from the European Union, 16 individual countries, and 32 independent observers affiliated with various global organisations.

The scale of international monitoring is more than double that of the controversial general election held on January 7, 2024. By comparison, the number of international observers during the 12th, 11th, and 10th general elections stood at 158, 125, and just four, respectively.

The OIC observer mission will be led by Shakir Mahmood Bandar, Head of the OIC Election Observation Unit, who will head a two-member delegation.

Other observer groups include 28 representatives from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), 25 from the Commonwealth Secretariat, seven from the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), and one from the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

In addition, 32 observers from organisations 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 received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Election Commission.

Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Murshed, who is overseeing coordination of the international observer visits, said the number of observers is expected to rise further.

“We expect the number of international observers to increase, as several countries invited to send observer missions have yet to confirm the names of their delegates,” she said. Countries that have been invited but are yet to confirm their observer delegations include India, Nepal, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, and Romania.

The Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) is also expected to announce its delegates soon.

Nearly 2,000 candidates, representing more than 50 political parties as well as independent contenders, are contesting the 300 parliamentary seats.

The general election will be held simultaneously with the referendum on the July National Charter, adding to the significance of the February polls amid heightened domestic and international scrutiny.