EC issues guidelines for foreign election observers, media

The CEC says no entry for observers who whitewashed disputed elections

The Election Commission (EC) has released the Guildeline for International Election Observers and Foreign Media 2025, ahead of the 13th national election.

The document was issued on Wednesday, alongside two separate guidelines for domestic observers and local media outlets.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has already made it clear that foreign observers who were “biased” during the last three elections “will not be approved for accreditation this time”.

“We will not allow those who handed out certificates declaring the past three elections ‘free and fair’ or ‘acceptable’ -- absolutely not,” he said.

“We will approve those who are experienced, dependable, reliable, and have observed elections in different countries.”

Md Ashadul Haque, EC’s public relations assistant director, said the new policy replaces the 2023 guidelines.

Under the new rules, the EC will soon issue a call for applications, allowing 30 days for interested foreign observers to apply.

Applications may be submitted via email or fax, or through respective embassies in Bangladesh.

Once received, the commission will evaluate the credentials and, if deemed suitable, forward the names to the Public Security Division for background checks.

After screening, a final list of approved candidates will be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa processing.

The ministry will not be allowed to reject any applicant without providing the commission with valid, documented reasons.

The EC, however, will retain the final authority on all approvals.