A total of 394 international election observers and nearly 400 foreign journalists have arrived in Bangladesh to monitor the country’s 13th general election and a referendum on the July National Charter, both scheduled for February 12.
According to a statement from the press wing of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the observers represent 21 countries and several international organisations. Of the total, 80 are from international organisations, 240 from countries with bilateral relations with Bangladesh, and 51 are affiliated with various global institutions.
The observer presence is more than double that of the general election held on January 7, 2024. In comparison, the 12th, 11th and 10th general elections were monitored by 158, 125 and just four international observers, respectively.
Observers have arrived from countries including Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Jordan, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, South Africa and Nigeria. However, the absence of observers from India and the United States has sparked speculation in diplomatic and political circles.
Also read: Hindu trader hacked to death in Bangladesh
Analysts attribute India’s absence to strained ties with the interim government and concerns over the political climate, including allegations of attacks on minority Hindus and an anti-India narrative during the election period. Some observers also believe New Delhi views the election as lacking democratic legitimacy due to the exclusion of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from the contest.
Among the organisations sending observers are the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), the Commonwealth Secretariat, the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the European External Action Service.
Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed said the large number of observers reflected global confidence in Bangladesh’s interim government. “We are overwhelmed by the response from countries and organisations sending election observers. This reflects confidence in the government’s ability to hold a free, fair and participatory election,” she said.
More than 2,000 candidates from over 50 political parties, along with independent contenders, are in the fray for parliamentary seats.
Follow us
