Domestic poll observers seek training for election duties, raise safety concerns

Although the EC has not taken formal responsibility for training observers, it promises to assist in preparations

Domestic election observer groups newly assigned to monitor the next parliamentary polls are now seeking training from the Election Commission.

In a discussion on Tuesday, they said many of the organisations either never worked as observers before or have been inactive for years.

Some groups also expressed concern about their safety on polling day and recommended that the commission ensure adequate protection for them.

While the EC has not assumed formal responsibility for observer training, officials offered limited support to help organisations prepare their teams.

On security, the commission advised observers to continue their duties without intervening in any situation that arises during the polls.

The discussions took place in two sessions on Tuesday at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, where representatives from 81 domestic observer organisations presented a range of recommendations.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin presided over both meetings, joined by other commissioners and senior EC secretariat officials.

The EC had earlier announced that observer accreditation for the general elections would exclude organisations that oversaw the 2014, 2018 and 2024 national elections, assigning duties instead to new groups.

Speaking in the afternoon session, Rabeya Begum, executive director of Shariatpur Development Society (SDS), said: “Many organisations are entirely new, although SDS has worked twice before.

“As this is a highly sensitive task, observers should not be sent into the field without proper training. We want an assurance that at least some of our observers or team leaders will receive training.”

In the same session, Nur Mohammad, chairman of the observation group Rashtrique, urged the EC to arrange training swiftly.

“We are completely new. Those who will work as new observers need training as soon as possible so that they can go to the field fully prepared,” he said. He also called on observers to help raise voter awareness regarding the upcoming referendum.

Another organisation requested the EC to quickly provide observer groups with training guidelines.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanuallah reminded the meeting that training observers is primarily the responsibility of the organisations themselves.

“Training is primarily the duty of the organisation. Whatever support we are trying to provide is additional. But you should not assume the EC will train observers. That would make observers part of the commission, which we do not want.

“You are our partners -- integral, but independent.”