Over 390 International Observers Arrive in Bangladesh for General Election and Referendum Monitoring

At least 394 international election observers and 197 foreign journalists have arrived in Bangladesh to monitor the general election scheduled for Thursday and the referendum to be held in July.

It is reported that 80 of the international observers represent various international organizations.

It is stated that 240 observers have arrived from bilateral countries, including independent European observers.

The statement mentioned that another 51 individuals are affiliated with various global institutions.

Among the major organizations sending observer missions is the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), while the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) has deployed 19 observers. Similarly, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) has sent one observer.

Other organizations include the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), and the European Union.

Observers are arriving from 21 countries, excluding the European Union.

Observers have also arrived from Pakistan (8), Bhutan (2), Sri Lanka (11), Nepal (1), Indonesia (3), and the Philippines (2).

Observers have also arrived from Malaysia (6), Jordan (2), Turkey (13), Iran (3), Georgia (2), and Russia (2).

Other participating countries include China (3), Japan (4), South Korea (2), Kyrgyzstan (2), Uzbekistan (2), South Africa (2), and Nigeria (4).

Observers from organizations such as Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, SAARC Human Rights Foundation, and the Polish Institute of International Affairs will monitor the election.

Supporting the coordination of the international observer visit, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed stated that this reflects the global community's confidence in holding a free, fair, and participatory election under the interim government of Bangladesh.

High-level participants include former President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan Deki Pema.

It is also reported that former Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mehmet Vakur Erkul and former Deputy Chief Whip of the UK House of Lords, Lord Richard Newby, are participating.

Officials from the Election Commission of Malaysia, Ramlan Bir Harun, and Iranian Parliamentarian Behnam Saeidi, a member of the Presiding Board of the Foreign Policy and National Security Commission, are also in the delegation.

More than two thousand candidates representing over 50 political parties and independent candidates are competing for parliamentary seats, while the program for the general election along with the referendum in July has been set.