The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh on Saturday said it is in the country solely to observe the electoral process and will not interfere, as it deployed 56 long-term observers across all 64 administrative districts.
Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase said the observers are present only to monitor the elections.
“We are here to observe, not to interfere. Long-term observers are a vital component of our mission. Their observations and insights will form the foundation of an impartial and evidence-based assessment of the electoral process,” she said.
The EU EOM applies a structured and well-established methodology for long-term, nationwide observation, allowing for a balanced and comprehensive analysis of the electoral process. Long-term observers will closely monitor key aspects of the elections at the regional level and support the analytical work of the core expert team based in Dhaka.
Lase said the observers will work in pairs and, within their assigned areas, meet voters, election officials, candidates, representatives of political parties, domestic observers, and youth activists. Their activities will extend beyond major cities to include smaller towns and rural areas.
The observers have been drawn from EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway, and Switzerland. Prior to their deployment, they received extensive briefings on Bangladesh’s electoral process, political environment, legal framework, and media and social context.
The mission has been deployed at the invitation of the Bangladeshi authorities. It is led by Member of the European Parliament and Chief Observer Evin Incir, who officially launched the mission’s activities at a press conference in Dhaka on January 11.
As election day approaches, the mission will be reinforced by 90 short-term observers, along with observers from diplomatic missions of EU member states, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland. They will observe polling, vote counting, and the tabulation of results. A delegation from the European Parliament will also join the mission.
At full strength, the mission will comprise approximately 200 observers.
The EU Election Observation Mission will present its preliminary findings at a press conference in Dhaka on February 14. A final report, including recommendations, will be submitted to the authorities after completion of the entire electoral process. Both reports will be made public and published on the mission’s website.
