Election Commission (EC) has authorised a total of 55,454 local observers to monitor the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum.
The permission encompasses two categories: 7,997 observers from 81 organisations centrally registered with the EC, and a further 47,457 constituency-based observers.
The details were disclosed in an official letter issued on Monday by EC’s Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer Md Ruhul Amin Mallik.
As per the directive, entry to polling centres will be strictly restricted to voters of that specific centre and individuals bearing EC-approved identity cards. All observers are mandated to adhere to the “Election Observation Guidelines 2025”.
To streamline the certification process, EC has launched a dedicated web portal (https://pr.ecs.gov.bd/). Approved observers must log in separately to this portal and submit their online applications for identity cards and vehicle stickers by 3 February.
Following verification and approval, the cards and stickers are to be downloaded and printed by the observers themselves.
While centrally-registered observers will collect their physical accreditation from EC’s Public Relations Branch, the approval process for constituency-based observers will be managed online by the respective Returning Officers (RO) or their authorised officials nationwide.
Necessary user IDs and passwords have already been disseminated to the ROs for this purpose. The issued guidelines stipulate several key protocols for observers.
Central and local observers must wear their identification cards prominently and visibly at all times during observation duties.
Observers are to respect voters’ rights and must not obstruct election officials or interfere in any manner with the electoral process.
While permitted to move briefly within polling centres, their presence must not cause disruption. Entry into the secret voting room is strictly prohibited.
Observers must assist in conducting the election democratically by following the Constitution and all relevant election laws and rules, without touching or removing any election materials.
Complete impartiality and neutrality are required. Observers must not wear, carry, or display any item that indicates support for or opposition to any candidate or political party.
Accepting, soliciting, or encouraging any gifts or favours from any party, candidate, agent, or person involved in the election is forbidden.
During the polling period, observers must refrain from making any comments to the media that could disrupt or influence the electoral process.
