A total of 645 observers from 19 organisations have been authorised to monitor the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election across the 16 constituencies of Chittagong.
According to the Election Commission, the monitoring will cover 1,965 polling centres. The highest concentration of monitors will be in the Chittagong-10 (Pahartali-Halishahar) constituency, where 103 observers from 13 organisations will be stationed. All other constituencies in the district will have more than 20 observers each.
The observers are scheduled to perform their duties on the day of the vote, 12 February, as well as two days prior and one day following the election.
Their primary focus will be to monitor any irregularities, attempts to unduly influence voters, the rights of women and third-gender voters, and incidents of coercion or pressure. Some organisations also intend to conduct long-term observation of the electoral situation in these seats.
Bashir Ahmed, the Senior District Election Officer of Chittagong, stated that the final approval list for the observers has been prepared.
“The observers must follow the prescribed guidelines while performing their duties,” he said, adding that they can collect their pass cards from the Returning Officer’s office.
The distribution of these cards is expected to begin on Sunday and Monday.
Additionally, foreign observers will travel to Chittagong with pass cards issued from Dhaka.
The organisations participating in the observation include: Youth Initiative for Socio Economic Active (ESEA), Bibi Achia Foundation, Muktir Bandhan Foundation, Prottyay Social Foundation, Somahar Multidisciplinary Research and Development Foundation, RISDA Bangladesh, Facilities for Agriculture, Rehabilitation and Environment, Grameen Economic and Social Advancement (GESA), Charu Development, Odhikar, HRSS, Help Center for Human Rights Foundation, Roshni Human Development Organization, Active, Aid Welfare Organisation, International Asaf Legal Aid Foundation, and Rupsa.
The constituency-wise distribution shows that Chittagong-1 (Mirsharai) has 36 observers from six organisations, Chittagong-2 has 29 observers from seven organisations, and Chittagong-3 has 45 observers from three organisations.
Chittagong-4 has 24 observers representing seven organisations, Chittagong-5 has 30 observers from four organisations, and Chittagong-6 has 26 observers from five organisations.
Chittagong-7 has 31 observers from six organisations, Chittagong-8 has 38 observers from seven organisations, and Chittagong-9 has 53 observers from eight organisations.
Chittagong-10 records the highest number with 103 observers from 13 organisations, followed by Chittagong-11 with 63 observers from seven organisations.
Chittagong-12 has 32 observers from five organisations, Chittagong-13 has 31 observers from five organisations, Chittagong-14 has 47 observers from five organisations, Chittagong-15 has 29 observers from four organisations, and Chittagong-16 has 28 observers from three organisations.
