394 international observers and 197 foreign journalists are in Dhaka to observe the vote

ফাইল ছবি

News Desk: The upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum have drawn significant international attention.

Ahead of the twin events scheduled for Thursday, at least 394 international election observers and 197 foreign journalists have already arrived in Dhaka.

According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, 80 of the visiting observers represent various international organizations. A total of 240 observers have come from bilateral partner countries, including independent European observers. Additionally, 51 individuals affiliated with different global institutions will monitor the election in their personal capacities.

The number of international observers for the upcoming election is more than double that of the controversial 12th National Parliamentary Election held on 7 January 2024. By comparison, the 11th, 12th, and 10th parliamentary elections had 158, 125, and only 4 international observers, respectively.

Among the major observer groups are 28 representatives from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), 27 from the Commonwealth Secretariat, 19 from the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), and one from the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Two representatives each have come from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), along with one from the European External Action Service.

Observers have also arrived from the European Union and 21 countries, including Pakistan (8), Bhutan (2), Sri Lanka (11), Nepal (1), Indonesia (3), the Philippines (2), Malaysia (6), Jordan (2), Türkiye (13), Iran (3), Georgia (2), Russia (2), China (3), Japan (4), South Korea (2), Kyrgyzstan (2), Uzbekistan (2), South Africa (2), and Nigeria (4).

Representatives from Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, SAARC Human Rights Foundation, and the Polish Institute of International Affairs will also observe the election independently.

Lamia Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator assisting in the coordination of international observers, said, “The positive response from various countries and organizations has encouraged us. It reflects the international community’s confidence in the interim government’s efforts to hold a free, fair, and participatory election.”

She added, “Not only in numbers but also in quality, the presence of observers is highly promising. Many of them are experienced and high-profile individuals in global election observation, which is reassuring for us.”

High-level guests include former President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan Deki Pema, former Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mehmet Vakur Erkulu, former Government Deputy Chief Whip of the UK House of Lords Lord Richard Newby, Malaysian Election Commission official Ramlan bin Harun, and Iranian Member of Parliament and Presiding Board Member of the Foreign Policy and National Security Commission Behnam Saeidi.

More than 2,000 candidates, representing over 50 political parties and independent contenders, are competing for parliamentary seats. Alongside the parliamentary election, a referendum on the July National Charter will also be held on the same day.