The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has deployed 56 long-term observers across 64 districts in Bangladesh to monitor the upcoming national election scheduled for 12 February.
An additional 90 short-term observers, along with a delegation from the European Parliament, are expected to arrive shortly before polling day. Observers from non-EU countries, including Canada, Norway, and Switzerland, will also join the mission. In total, around 200 observers will be deployed on election day.
The observers will visit major cities, towns, and rural areas, attend election rallies, and meet with civil society organisations, citizen observer groups, youth representatives, media professionals, and political leaders to assess the overall electoral environment.
Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase said the presence of the European Parliament delegation and diplomats from EU member states and partner countries will strengthen the mission’s capacity.
“On election day, we will be operating at full force, from early morning until the last ballot is counted,” she said during a briefing at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Saturday.
Lase noted that deploying observers well ahead of elections is a longstanding EU practice to monitor all key aspects of the electoral process. “The mission arrives early, sends observers to the field, and monitors all relevant elements of the electoral process,” she said.
Observers will submit weekly, detailed reports on the electoral process in specific constituencies and districts. These reports are analysed by the mission’s core team in Dhaka, which consolidates findings to provide a holistic assessment of the process.
Preliminary findings will be presented at a press conference two days after the election, evaluating whether the election meets national laws and international standards.
The deputy chief observer stressed that all members of the mission will strictly adhere to the principles of impartiality, independence and non-interference. “We are invited to observe, not to interfere, and we will strictly follow this mandate,” she said.
Observers document incidents in the field, which the core team assesses to determine their impact on the electoral process. “Our role is not to report incidents directly to the Election Commission; we evaluate the overall process holistically,” Lase said.
Law and order will be a key focus of the assessment, as it is essential for a credible election. Observer safety is also a priority, with a security expert based in Dhaka and regional specialists monitoring conditions on the ground.
“We hope that both international and local observers, as well as voters, can feel safe throughout the election period,” Lase said.
Describing the election as a significant moment for Bangladesh, Lase said it was too early to draw conclusions.
“We must observe how the process unfolds and wait until two days after the election for a comprehensive assessment. We are honoured to accompany the Bangladeshi people through this important democratic process,” she added.
