ANFREL sees orderly polling Urges deeper reforms
Diplomatic Correspondent:
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has described the 13th parliamentary elections and referendum as generally peaceful and orderly on polling day, while warning that deeper challenges around electoral accountability and campaign finance remain unresolved.
Presenting its interim findings at a press conference at a city hotel on Sunday, the regional observer group said the vote took place in a transitional climate shaped by the July 2024 youth-led uprising and heightened public scrutiny of state institutions.
ANFREL said it observed a calm and safe Election Day environment in areas covered by its mission.
It attributed this largely to the visible operational planning of the Bangladesh Election Commission, including risk-based security deployments, coordination with law enforcement, and the use of centralised monitoring and technology-enabled oversight.
These measures, it said, helped stabilise polling operations and contributed to public confidence in the conduct of voting.
The mission was led by Rohana Hettiarachchie, Chairperson of ANFREL and Executive Director of People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL). Brizza Rosales served as Mission Executive Director, supported by electoral analysts Carlo Africa of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) and Asanka Senadeera of PAFFREL.
ANFREL said the existing legal framework provides baseline rules for political competition, campaign conduct and media regulation. However, the credibility of these safeguards depends on consistent enforcement and timely remedies for violations.
On polling day itself, ANFREL identified a vulnerability linked to potential vote-buying. Party-operated voter identification desks were observed near polling stations distributing voter slips, sometimes bearing party logos and candidate photographs. In some instances, voters were seen presenting these slips to polling agents upon entering the booth.
About voter turnout, the mission emphasised that turnout alone does not determine electoral quality, but noted what it called a “huge voter participation” and visible engagement by first-time voters, particularly youth who had not previously experienced competitive elections over the past decade and a half.
Regarding women representation, ANFREL said while the voter roll reflected near parity between men and women, women remained severely underrepresented as candidates, with many parties nominating none.
Minority and marginalised communities reported fear and exclusion in some areas, and persons with disabilities faced significant accessibility barriers, the observers said.
Observers identified accessibility as a consistent issue across polling stations, particularly for the elderly and voters with disabilities. ANFREL said it would recommend practical measures, including temporary structural adjustments, to improve access.
Addressing women’s political participation, ANFREL recommended institutionalising affirmative action measures within the electoral system. It suggested that reforms linked to the July Charter could require political parties to meet minimum targets for nominating women candidates.
The mission stressed that electoral accountability is vital not only for integrity but also for encouraging women to run for office.
Stakeholders cited violence, including digital harassment, and high campaign costs as major deterrents.
Stronger enforcement against violence and clearer campaign finance oversight could reduce barriers to participation, it said.
ANFREL said called for stronger mechanisms to monitor online spending and greater cooperation between election authorities, platforms and civil society.
The mission reported that it monitored around 95 identified social media accounts and coded approximately 9,000 posts using a structured methodology and digital tools to assess online campaign conduct.
ANFREL concluded that the gains in Election Day confidence will be sustained only if post-election governance focuses on rule-based accountability and credible reform.
ANFREL said the referendum outcome has heightened expectations for reform commitments under the July Charter.
The mission said Bangladesh’s democratic transition will depend on enforceable political and campaign finance oversight, clear complaint mechanisms, and a transitional justice and reconciliation process grounded in accountability.
“Democracy is a journey. An election is only one step,” mission representatives said, urging sustained institutional reform to consolidate public trust.