63 observers from OIC, 5 other groups to monitor Bangladesh polls

The total number of confirmed international observers for the election and the referendum reaches 330

Six international organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will send at least 63 observers to monitor Bangladesh’s parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for Feb 12, the interim government says.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chief Advisor’s Office said the observers from six international organisations would join dozens of others from foreign governments and international bodies.

It will take the total number of confirmed international observers for the election and the referendum on the July National Charter to 330, more than double the number present during the last general election in January 2024.

According to the government, previous parliamentary elections saw far fewer international observers, with 158 at the 12th national election, 125 at the 11th and just four at the 10th.

Other international observer groups include 28 representatives from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), 25 from the Commonwealth Secretariat, seven from the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) and one from the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

[Updates to follow]