Int’l observers seen as key to credibility of election

Published February 9, 2026 · Updated February 8, 2026

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the army remains on alert nationwide alongside other security forces to prevent violence and maintain law and order. The photo was taken from the city’s Fakirapul intersection on Sunday.

Staff Reporter :

The Election Commission is placing strong emphasis on the role of foreign journalists and international observers in ensuring transparency and global confidence in the polls.

Keeping that matter in mind, the Commission has taken an initiative to brief foreign journalists and election observers on the overall electoral process on Wednesday, as part of its preparations for the upcoming vote.

EC Public Relations Director Md Ruhul Amin Mallik confirmed the move, saying the commission wants to present a clear picture of polling arrangements, security measures, and observation frameworks ahead of election day.

According to EC officials, a formal briefing for local and foreign election observers and journalists will be held on February 11 at 11:00am at Hotel Inter Continental in Dhaka.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said around 500 foreign journalists and observers combined are expected to monitor the referendum and parliamentary election.

Foreign media presence has already become visible in Dhaka. Journalists from several countries have arrived to cover the polls and are collecting election pass cards to access polling-related activities.

Reporters from major international outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, AFP, AP, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Le Monde, Les Echos, are on the ground, reporting on the election campaign and conducting interviews with political leaders, candidates, and voters.

Their coverage is expected to shape international perceptions of the electoral process taken by the Election Commission.

A significant international component will come from the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM). The EU EOM is deploying 90 short-term observers for the February 12 polls.

The observers will be deployed from Hotel InterContinental on Tuesday between 9:00am and 10:00am, sources said.

EU EOM Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs will address the observers before deployment. During their mission, the observers will operate in official EU EOM attire bearing the mission’s logo and will be stationed across different parts of the country to assess voting, counting, and tabulation procedures.

Election officials say the presence of foreign journalists and international observers is crucial for strengthening public trust and reinforcing the credibility of the referendum and parliamentary election.

By opening the process to external scrutiny, the commission aims to demonstrate its commitment to a free, fair, and transparent vote, both to voters at home and to the international community watching closely.

The deployment of foreign journalists and observers in the upcoming election has been described as a significant milestone, underscoring the importance and transparency of the electoral process, sources said.

Unlike previous elections, where such an extensive international presence was either limited or absent, this year’s election sees a marked increase in the number of foreign media representatives and monitors.

Their involvement is expected to enhance the credibility of the election by ensuring impartial coverage and reporting on the events, providing a layer of transparency that citizens and the global community can trust, sources said.