EU EOM deploys 56 long-term observers across country
Diplomatic Correspondent :
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh has begun nationwide deployment of 56 long-term observers, marking a key phase in its monitoring of the country’s electoral process.
The observers were dispatched on Saturday to all 64 districts, where they will assess the election environment in the weeks leading up to polling day.
According to the mission, their role is central to ensuring an independent, evidence-based evaluation of the process.
“The long-term observers are a critical element of our mission. Their observations and insights will ground our impartial and fact-based evaluation of the electoral process,” Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase told media at a city hotel.
She urged patience, saying the process should be judged only after a full and “holistic assessment” is completed.
Addressing the observers, Lase said they would play a decisive role in shaping the mission’s understanding of events on the ground.
“You are the ones in the field, witnessing realities firsthand and conveying to us in Dhaka how the situation is unfolding in every district. We are truly looking forward to your reports and assessments,” she said.
Acknowledging the demanding nature of the assignment, Lase noted that the observers’ days would be long but worthwhile.
“Trust me, we are all privileged to hear from you and to witness this historic election,” she added.
Operating in teams of two, the observers will engage with a wide range of stakeholders at the regional and local levels.
This includes voters, election officials, candidates, political parties, civil society groups, citizen observers, and youth activists. Their work will extend beyond major cities to small towns and rural areas.
The EU EOM is applying its standard long-term, nationwide methodology, which tracks the legal framework, political context, media landscape, and election administration over an extended period.
Findings from the field will feed into the analysis conducted by the mission’s core team of experts based in Dhaka.
Observers have been seconded from EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.
Before deployment, they received briefings on Bangladesh’s political environment, electoral laws, and media and social dynamics.
The mission is led by Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs, a Member of the European Parliament, and was deployed at the invitation of the Bangladeshi authorities.
The mission was formally launched at a press conference in Dhaka on 11 January.
As election day approaches, the EU EOM will expand significantly. An additional 90 short-term observers will be deployed to monitor voting, counting, and results tabulation.
They will be joined by observers from 27 EU member state diplomatic missions, as well as Canada, Norway, and Switzerland. A delegation from the European Parliament will also take part. At full strength, the mission will comprise around 200 observers.
The EU EOM plans to present its preliminary findings at a press conference in Dhaka on 14 February.
A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be released after the conclusion of the full election cycle. Both reports will be made public on the mission’s official website.
The mission emphasised that it operates under a strict code of conduct requiring neutrality and non-interference, and that its work is guided by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation endorsed by the United Nations in 2005.