EU deploys 200 observers for Bangladesh elections, Chief Observer meets Bangladeshi Chief Adviser

DHAKA (MNTV) – A delegation of the European Union election observation mission met with Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser as the EU scales up its comprehensive monitoring of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12.

The six-member EU delegation, led by Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs, a Member of the European Parliament from Latvia, met with Professor Riaz at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon to discuss the interim government’s reform initiatives and the upcoming electoral process.

Professor Riaz briefed the delegation on the interim government’s comprehensive reform measures designed to uphold the spirit of the July mass uprising and advance the country’s democratic development.

He emphasized that these initiatives aim to ensure a smooth and meaningful democratic journey while safeguarding citizens’ fundamental rights.

The EU delegation sought updates on the upcoming referendum, reform measures, and constitutional restructuring. Professor Riaz, who also serves as Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, provided information about the July Charter, which was developed after nearly nine months of consultations with political parties across the country.

He noted that all participating parties have signed the charter and expressed optimism about its implementation.

Seeking continued European Union support, Professor Riaz emphasized that Bangladesh’s democratic transition efforts would benefit from international cooperation.

The EU delegation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s democratic transition, highlighting the bloc’s respect for democracy and freedom of expression.

Who are the EU election observers?

The European Union has deployed a comprehensive 200-member Election Observation Mission to Bangladesh, marking the first full-scale EU election observation in the country since 2008.

The mission comprises observers from all 27 EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

The mission’s structure includes:

Core Team: Eleven analysts based in Dhaka who arrived on December 29, 2025. They assess all aspects and stages of the electoral process, including electoral, legal, political, and media issues, supported by logistical and security experts.

Long-Term Observers: Fifty-six observers deployed on January 17 to cover all 64 administrative districts across Bangladesh’s divisions. They monitor the electoral process in their assigned areas and report findings to the Core Team in Dhaka.

Short-Term Observers: Ninety observers being deployed shortly before election day to reinforce the mission during the critical voting period.

Additional Support: The mission will be further strengthened by observers from diplomatic missions of EU member states and partner countries accredited in Bangladesh, along with a delegation from the European Parliament. These observers will monitor voting, counting, and the tabulation of results on election day.

Mission mandate and principles

The EU Election Observation Mission operates with a clear mandate to observe all aspects of the electoral process and assess whether the elections comply with Bangladesh’s national laws as well as regional and international standards for democratic elections.

“This Election Observation mission reaffirms the importance the European Union attaches to the partnership with Bangladesh, built on mutual respect and shared commitment to democratic principles,” Chief Observer Ijabs stated during his initial visit to the country, where he met with a wide range of electoral stakeholders to gather firsthand information on the unfolding electoral process.

“Our technical assessment of these elections is guided by three core principles: independence, impartiality and non-interference,” he emphasized. “We will employ a robust, well-established methodology of long-term, nation-wide observation. We will observe the process but will not certify the results. These elections belong solely to the people of Bangladesh.”

The mission maintains complete independence from the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, EU member states, and all EU institutions in its findings and conclusions.

All EU observers adhere to a strict code of conduct that ensures their neutrality and impartiality throughout their work, and they do not interfere in the electoral process.

The mission operates in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, which was endorsed under United Nations auspices in 2005. Observers are also bound by ethical guidelines that govern their conduct.

What the observers will monitor

The EU EOM will observe and assess numerous aspects of the electoral process, including:

• The legal framework and its implementation
• Registration of political entities and candidates
• Performance of the election administration and relevant government authorities
• Voter registration procedures
• Campaign activities and campaign finance
• The overall election environment, including respect for fundamental freedoms and civil and political rights
• Participation of women, vulnerable groups, and minorities
• The role of media, including online election-related content
• The role of citizen observers and their access to the process
• Voting, counting, and tabulation of results
• Complaints and appeals processes
• Announcement of results and post-election developments

The mission has dedicated media and social media monitoring units to assess how effectively these channels enable voters to make well-informed choices.

Observation methodology

The EU EOM employs an established observation methodology to evaluate election processes against international standards and best practices for genuine democratic elections. The mission will engage with election administration bodies, political parties, the judiciary, civil society organizations, and media outlets throughout its work.

During the observation period, the EU EOM will meet with representatives of the Bangladesh Election Commission, relevant state and local authorities, political parties, civil society organizations, media representatives, and the international community, including other international election observation missions.

The mission will observe the opening of polling stations across Bangladesh, voting and counting procedures, tabulation of results, and subsequent complaints and appeals processes.

Timeline and reporting

The EU EOM will publish a preliminary statement on February 14, two days after election day, followed by a press conference in Dhaka.

This statement will outline the mission’s initial findings and conclusions regarding the extent to which the elections have been conducted in line with Bangladesh law as well as regional and international standards for democratic elections.

A comprehensive final report, including recommendations to improve future electoral processes, will be presented to Bangladesh authorities and other electoral stakeholders approximately two months after the completion of the observation process.

Following the final report’s release, the EU will engage with host country authorities to encourage implementation of recommendations during the inter-election period through political dialogue and potentially technical assistance to support election reform.

Both the preliminary statement and final report are public documents and will be available on the mission’s website.