The Election Commission (EC) has extended invitations to representatives from 26 countries and seven international organisations to observe the forthcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum.
Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, director of the EC’s Public Relations Wing, confirmed the information to TIMES of Bangladesh, saying that a total of 83 foreign observers have been invited.
Observers and media wishing to participate on their own initiative can submit applications by 15 January, while invited delegates must confirm their participation by 17 January.
The invited countries include Australia, Canada, France, Georgia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives.
The international organisations invited are SAARC, Commonwealth, OIC, ANFREL, A-WEB, IRI, and NDI.
The EC will cover all expenses for the invited delegates, except airfare. Observers will be accommodated in five-star hotels, and dedicated security arrangements and information centres will be in place to assist them.
The national parliament elections are scheduled for 12 February, according to the official election calendar.
