Dhaka, Jan 30 (V7N) — At least 16 countries have accepted Bangladesh’s invitation to deploy a total of 57 bilateral election observers to monitor the 13th National Assembly elections and referendum, scheduled to be held on February 12.

In addition to the bilateral observer teams, hundreds of international observers from the European Union (EU), the Commonwealth, and various international organizations working on democratic governance and human rights are expected to participate in the election observation process.

Among the bilateral missions, Malaysia will send the largest delegation with 14 observers, followed by Turkey, which is dispatching 12 observers.

The Malaysian delegation will be led by Dato’ Sri Ramlan bin Dato’ Harun, Chairman of the Malaysian Election Commission. The Turkish delegation, which includes members of the Turkish parliament, will be headed by Mehmet Vakur Erkul, former Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh.

Other countries confirming their participation include:

  • Indonesia (5)

  • Japan (4)

  • Pakistan (3)

  • Bhutan (2)

  • Maldives (2)

  • Philippines (2)

  • Jordan (2)

  • Georgia (2)

  • Russia (2)

  • Kyrgyzstan (2)

  • South Africa (2)

  • Sri Lanka (1)

  • Iran (1)

  • Uzbekistan (1)

Notable observers include Pakistan’s Chief Election Commissioner Mohammad Jalal Sikandar Sultan and Bhutan’s Chief Election Commissioner Deki Pema.

Lamia Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator assisting with observer coordination, said that around 400 election observers have confirmed their participation so far, adding that more countries are expected to confirm their presence in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Observer Group will be led by former President of Ghana Nanna Akufo-Addo. The 14-member team includes prominent figures such as former Maldivian Deputy Foreign Minister Geoffrey Salim Waheed, former Sierra Leone Foreign Minister David John Francis, and former Malaysian Senator Ras Adiba Mohamed Radzi.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) will be headed by Latvian Member of the European Parliament Ivars Izabs. The mission will also include at least seven other MEPs, namely Lukas Mandl (Austria), Laurent Vinche (Romania), Tomasz Jadechovsky (Czech Republic), Leire Pajín (Spain), Sherban Dimitrie Sturdza (Romania), Michael McNamara (Ireland), and Katarina Vieira (Netherlands).

According to election authorities, nearly 2,000 candidates, representing more than 50 political parties as well as independent contenders, are contesting for 300 parliamentary seats in the upcoming election.

END/SMA/AJ