EU to send major observation team for Bangladesh election, ambassador says

The team is not finalised, but may have 150 to 200 members, he says

The European Union will deploy a large team of observers to monitor Bangladesh’s general elections in February, Ambassador Michael Miller told Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

He confirmed the development at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday, a statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) said.

The statement said, during the meeting, Miller said the EU observation mission has not been finalised but may include 150 to 200 members, with some arriving six weeks before the elections and the rest a week prior.

Miller told Yunus that the EU is sending a full observer team to Bangladesh for the first time since 2008 and will support a local observer team during the vote, the statement added.

The CAO said Ambassador Miller described the July National Charter as a “very important” document aimed at ensuring a democratic transition.

He also praised the government’s recent labour law reforms and efforts to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, calling them “remarkable successes”.

Yunus said Bangladesh is looking forward to signing an agreement with the world’s largest shipping company, AP Møller-Mærsk, to develop and manage the Laldia terminal at Chittagong Port.

Ambassador Miller said the Danish company wants to invest about $800 million to transform Laldia into one of the most modern terminals in the region.

During the meeting, they also discussed the electoral environment, candidate qualifications, and ensuring due legal process to protect human rights.