Bangladesh invites India as observer for Feb 12 elections, New Delhi yet to respond

Observer groups will also include both governmental and non-governmental organisations.

A statement issued by the office of Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, said, “The number of international observers confirmed for the upcoming election is more than double that of the controversial general election held on January 7, 2024”.

Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Murshed, who is overseeing coordination with international observers, noted that the list is expected to expand.

“We expect the number of international observers to increase, as several countries invited to send observer missions have yet to confirm the names of their delegates,” she said.

Invitations have also been sent to Nepal, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Romania, and others.

Several of these countries are still in the process of confirming their delegations.

Among the international observer groups are 28 members from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), 25 from the Commonwealth Secretariat, seven from the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), and one from the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

In addition, 32 observers representing organisations such as Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, the SAARC Human Rights Foundation, and the Polish Institute of International Affairs will monitor the election in their individual capacities, according to information shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Election Commission.

Nearly 2,000 candidates from more than 50 political parties, along with independent contenders, are competing for the 300 parliamentary seats.

The election will take place alongside a referendum on proposed limits to executive power under the July National Charter.

Meanwhile, election-related violence has increased in recent weeks, with human rights organisations reporting multiple incidents, including cases involving minorities.