At least 16 countries have accepted Bangladesh’s invitation to send election observers for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, scheduled for February 12.
The information was disclosed in an official statement by Chief Adviser's Press Wing today.
These observers will join several hundred international monitors from the European Union (EU), the Commonwealth, and other global organisations.
Malaysia will send the largest contingent with 14 observers, led by Dato Sri Ramlan Bin Dato Harun, chairman of the Election Commission of Malaysia.
Türkiye will dispatch 12 observers, headed by Mehmet Vakur Erkul, a former Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh.
Other countries confirming observer teams include Indonesia (5), Japan (4), Pakistan (3), Bhutan (2), Maldives (2), Sri Lanka (1), Philippines (2), Jordan (2), Iran (1), Georgia (2), Russia (2), Kyrgyzstan (2), Uzbekistan (1), and South Africa (2).
Notable participants include Mohammad Jalal Sikandar Sultan, chief election commissioner of Pakistan; and Deki Pema, chief election commissioner of Bhutan.
Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, Lamiya Morshed, said, “We have received confirmation of close to 400 election observers so far, and we expect a few more countries to confirm the visits of their delegates very soon.”
The Commonwealth Observer Group will be led by former president of Ghana Nana Akufo‑Addo, joined by figures such as Jeffrey Salim Waheed, former deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives; David John Francis, former foreign minister of Sierra Leone; and Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi, former senator of Malaysia.
The EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) will be led by member of the European Parliament from Latvia, Ivars Ijabs, and will include at least seven other MEPs: Lukas Mandl (Austria), Loránt Vincze (Romania), Tomáš Zdechovský (Czechia), Leire Pajín (Spain), Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (Romania), Michael McNamara (Ireland), and Catarina Vieira (Netherlands).
Nearly 2,000 candidates, representing more than 50 political parties and independents, are contesting 300 parliamentary seats.
