The European Union has appointed Ivars Ijabs, a member of the European Parliament, as chief observer for Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election, scheduled for 12 February 2026.
In a press release issued from its headquarters, the EU said the appointment was made by the High Representative.
The statement noted that, following a formal invitation from the Bangladeshi authorities, High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas has decided to deploy a European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) to monitor the polls.
Commenting on his appointment, Ijabs said he was honoured to lead the EU Election Observation Mission to Bangladesh. He said the mission would provide an independent and impartial assessment of the electoral process, reflecting the EU’s support for democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights in Bangladesh.
The EU Election Observation Mission is expected to assess key aspects of the electoral process, including the legal framework, campaign environment, media coverage, and polling and counting procedures, in line with international standards.
