EU Deploys 56 Long-Term Observers Nationwide to Monitor Bangladesh Election

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has deployed 56 long-term observers across Bangladesh to monitor the upcoming national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12.

The observers will begin their work from Saturday in all 64 districts of the country. A brief ceremony marking the start of their deployment was held at a hotel in the capital on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, EU EOM Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase said long-term observers are a vital component of the mission. She noted that the mission’s impartial and evidence-based assessment of the electoral process will largely be based on their observations and experiences.

She added that the EU EOM follows a well-established and robust methodology for long-term, nationwide election observation to ensure a balanced and comprehensive evaluation of the entire electoral process.

The long-term observers will closely monitor key aspects of the election at the regional level and support the analytical work of the Dhaka-based core team of experts.

According to Lase, the observers will work in teams of two and engage with voters, election officials, candidates, and representatives of political parties in their assigned areas. They will also exchange views with civil society observers and youth activists. These activities will be conducted not only in major cities but also in smaller towns and rural areas.

EU officials said the observers have been drawn from EU member states as well as Canada, Norway, and Switzerland. Before deployment, they received detailed briefings on Bangladesh’s electoral process, political context, legal framework, media environment, and social realities.

The election observation mission has been deployed at the invitation of the Government of Bangladesh. The mission is led by Chief Observer Evaristo Giabbi (Evers Ijabs), a Member of the European Parliament, who formally launched the mission at a press conference in Dhaka on January 11.

As election day approaches, the mission will be further strengthened with the deployment of 90 short-term observers. They will be joined by observers from diplomatic missions of EU member states, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland, who will monitor voting, vote counting, and result tabulation.

In addition, a delegation from the European Parliament will participate in the mission. At full capacity, the EU EOM will comprise nearly 200 observers from the 27 EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

The EU EOM will present its preliminary findings at a press conference in Dhaka on February 14. A final report, including recommendations for future elections, will be submitted to the relevant authorities after the completion of the electoral process.

EU officials said both reports will be made public and published on the mission’s website.

The EU Election Observation Mission operates under a strict code of conduct, with neutrality and non-interference as its core principles. The mission conducts its activities in line with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation adopted under United Nations auspices in 2005.