Historic BD election to be monitored by 200-strong EU observers

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on Tuesday intensified its monitoring of Bangladesh’s national elections, underscoring its contribution to electoral transparency through the deployment of short-term observers across the country alongside long-term teams.

“With a total of 200 observers deployed nationwide, we are contributing to the transparency of these historic elections,” stated Ivars Ijabs, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Bangladesh, on Tuesday.

This substantial and dedicated mission demonstrates the European Union’s steadfast commitment to the democratic governance of Bangladesh, he added.

The remarks came as 90 short-term EU observers (STOs) were deployed on Tuesday to monitor election-day proceedings in all 64 administrative districts. Their responsibilities include observing the opening of polling centres, voting, closing, ballot counting, and tabulation of results.

“The short-term observers will be present in cities, towns and villages across almost every constituency. Their observations and reports throughout the day will be a critical element of our impartial and fact-based assessment of these historic elections,” Ijabs explained.

The STO deployment builds upon the work of 56 long-term observers, who have been in Bangladesh since mid-January, monitoring the pre-election environment, including preparations by election authorities, campaign activities, and voter education, while engaging with a broad spectrum of political and civil society stakeholders.

The mission is further strengthened by a delegation of Members of the European Parliament, alongside 35 locally recruited short-term observers from the diplomatic missions of EU member states and partner countries, including Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

At full strength, the EU EOM comprises over 200 observers drawn from all 27 EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

The EU EOM indicated it will present its preliminary findings at a press conference in Dhaka on Wednesday. A comprehensive final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be submitted to the authorities following completion of the electoral process and made publicly available on the mission’s website.

The mission operates under a strict code of conduct requiring neutrality and non-interference, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, endorsed under United Nations auspices in 2005.