Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called on the Election Commission (EC) to revoke what it described as an imprudent and discriminatory decision to bear the accommodation and meal expenses of foreign election observers.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the decision contradicts the principles of impartial and conflict-free election observation and risks undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
Referring to media reports, he said the EC justified the move on the grounds that the visible presence of foreign observers would enhance the acceptability of the election at home and abroad. He termed this justification flimsy and warned that the decision could prove counterproductive.
Iftekharuzzaman said “EC’s move is discriminatory, as it does not extend the same facilities to domestic observers.”
He questioned how the Commission would justify this disparity and said the issue raises serious concerns about fairness.
He warned that foreign observers who receive such facilities could face perceptions of being hired agents. He also raised doubts about whether they could independently and impartially assess the election while enjoying the hospitality of the very institution they are expected to evaluate.
He noted “Observers also assess the performance of the Election Commission itself, making conflicts of interest unavoidable under such arrangements.”
Addressing foreign observers directly, Iftekharuzzaman questioned on what grounds they would accept responsibilities financed by the Election Commission or the government.
He asked whether, in light of ethical standards and conflicts of interest, they could conduct an objective and unbiased assessment of both the election and the Commission. He expressed hope that foreign observers would refrain from accepting such hospitality and perform their duties independently.
Iftekharuzzaman further noted “There was no need to spend state funds to project elections as credible before or in 2008, while similar facilities were extended to foreigners in the 2018 and 2024 elections.”
He urged the Election Commission to reflect on whether those efforts succeeded.
Referring to public expectations following the July mass uprising, Iftekharuzzaman said people now strongly expect a free, fair and acceptable election. He expressed hope that the Election Commission would avoid any steps that could create fresh controversy around the electoral process.
