EU to deploy nearly 200 observers for national election, says EC secretary

He says the mission will be provided with the necessary administrative facilities under a tripartite agreement

The European Union (EU) will send between 175 and 200 observers to Bangladesh for the parliamentary elections, according to the Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

He disclosed the information outside his office at the Nirbachan Bhaban on Wednesday.

He said under the tripartite agreement, the observer team would be extended all necessary administrative support, particularly in terms of transportation and movement, with assistance from the commission.

Ivars Ijabs, member of the European Parliament, has been appointed chief observer for the mission, the EU said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to Akhtar, the EU will dispatch a delegation to Bangladesh under an administrative agreement signed among the EU, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Election Commission.

“So far, we have been formally informed about the name of the head of the delegation. We have been given an indication that around 175 to 200 observers may arrive,” he said, adding that the exact number and their detailed schedule would be communicated later.

He noted, however, in certain sensitive areas, such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts, local security protocols would have to be strictly followed.

Akhtar also said the observers would bring their own equipment and take it back after completing their work, and would operate in line with Bangladesh’s local and international election observation guidelines.

In addition to the EU, proposals for election observation have also been received from Türkiye and two or three other organisations.