Khairul Alam: In a press briefing on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a total of nine countries, including India, China, and Russia, have confirmed their participation as election observers for Bangladesh’s upcoming 12th National Parliament elections scheduled for January 7.
According to Sheheli Sabreen, the spokesperson for the ministry, the confirmed observer countries are India, China, Russia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Uzbekistan, Mauritius, Georgia, and Palestine. Notably, India, China, and Russia have designated specific election observers to oversee the democratic process in Bangladesh.
In addition to these countries, specialized observer groups such as the European Union’s expert team, the International Observation Mission (IOM), the Commonwealth, and the Arab Parliament will also be monitoring the elections. Currently, an EU expert team is already stationed in Bangladesh, and they are expected to remain in the country until January 24.
The spokesperson further mentioned that the Election Commission is currently reviewing applications for permission from international observers. The exact number of observers and their deployment across Bangladesh will be finalized after the commission completes its assessment.
As Bangladesh prepares for a crucial democratic exercise, the international community’s involvement underscores the significance of ensuring free and fair elections. Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage as the world observes Bangladesh’s electoral process closely.