Election Commission invites global observers from 26 countries, seven agencies

It offers five-day hospitality, covering travel and accommodation costs for selected delegates

The Election Commission (EC) has reached out to 26 countries and seven international agencies, inviting their observers to monitor the parliamentary polls and referendum.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has already sent letters to 83 individuals from these countries and organisations, according to Md Asadul Haque, assistant director of public relations at the EC.

The invitations include an offer of five days of official hospitality, covering travel expenses to and from Bangladesh.

The invited international organisations are SAARC, the Commonwealth, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, ANFREL, A-WEB, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute.

The international organisations include SAARC, the Commonwealth, the OIC, ANFREL, A-WEB, the IRI and the NDI.

The EC has also invited the heads of election management bodies from Australia, Canada, France, Georgia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives.

Each organisation or country may send up to two representatives, including the head of the election management authority.

Letters sent on Dec 30 asked invitees to confirm participation by Jan 15.

Earlier, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the European Union would send 175–200 observers in phases. Some other organisations have also expressed interest in sending observers independently.

Foreign media and journalists wishing to observe the elections must apply by Jan 17.

Currently, 81 domestic observer organisations are registered with the EC, which has run a registration system since 2008.

Organisations are now registered for five years to monitor elections.