The European Union (EU) will send 175-200 observers to monitor the upcoming parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter, scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026, said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Wednesday.
“The EU has confirmed that it will deploy an observer mission in our election….Some 175-200 EU observers will arrive here at different times to observe the polls,” he said while briefing reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
Ivars Ijabs, a member of the EU Parliament, would lead the EU election observation mission in Bangladesh, he said.
The EC Secretary, however, said he would not be able to say further details about when they start arriving here.
He said the EU observers would come here to watch the election following a tripartite agreement signed among the Election Commission, the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh and the EU on Monday last.
Akhtar Ahmed said the EU observers would follow the local necessity protocols particularly in the Chittagong hilly area.
He said so far two-three international organisations and countries confirmed that they would send their observer missions to Bangladesh.
In response to a formal invitation by Bangladesh authorities, the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas has decided to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 February 2026.
The High Representative has appointed Ivars Ijabs, Member of the European Parliament, as its chief observer.
"I am honoured to lead this EU Election Observation Mission to Bangladesh, which will deliver an independent and impartial assessment of the electoral process," Chief Observer Ijabs said on Tuesday.
This mission, Ijabs said, is a tangible example of the EU support to the people of Bangladesh and their aspiration for stronger democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights.
The EU said they are supporting the conduct of "free and fair, participatory" elections.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on December 11 last announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next.
According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).