Local election observers have one week left to apply

A letter has been sent out detailing local observer deployment

Domestic observer groups have until Dec 21 to submit applications to monitor the parliamentary polls and referendum, scheduled for Feb 12, 2026.

A letter was issued on Monday outlining guidelines for their deployment.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the election schedule on Dec 11.

Md Asadul Haque, public relations assistant director of the EC Secretariat said the groups must submit applications to the EC secretary by Dec 21, following the guidelines, within 10 days of the schedule announcement.

This year, the minimum qualification for observers has been set at Higher Secondary Certificate or equivalent. The commission has registered 81 organisations.

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must file deployment plans showing where observers will be posted at the central and local levels, specifying the parliamentary constituencies.

• Applications must be submitted on the organisation’s official letterhead, using the prescribed formats.

• Centrally approved observers must present photographs, attested copies of academic certificates and national identity cards, along with completed forms, to the public relations wing of the EC Secretariat (Room No 105) when collecting accreditation cards.

• Observers approved locally must submit the same documents to the offices of the returning or assistant returning officers.

Observer guidelines 2025, along with application forms and affidavits, are available on the EC website at www.ecs.gov.bd.