International Republican Institute (IRI), a Washington-based organisation dedicated to advancing democracy and freedom globally, on Saturday said the new government in Bangladesh, to be formed within days, should swiftly implement the July Charter reforms and ensure institutions deliver for all Bangladeshis.

“Now that the election is over, the hard work of governing lies ahead and the enthusiasm of the Bangladeshi people needs to be translated into action,” said David Dreier, the IRI delegation leader and former United States Congressman (R-CA).

Significant underrepresentation of women, along with ethnic and religious minorities, among candidates remains a serious concern, said the IRI.

The IRI deployed a delegation of international election observers to Dhaka from February 9 to 13, 2026, to assess the conduct of the February 12 elections. 

The election marks an inflection point for a country navigating a complex democratic transition following the July 2024 uprising that ended over 15 years of Awami League rule, IRI said.

The delegation met a broad range of stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Election Commission, political parties, interim government officials, and civic organizations from across the Bangladeshi political spectrum, to assess the electoral environment and prospects for democratic renewal.

“Security forces and the Election Commission performed admirably. After years of authoritarian rule, Election Day was mostly peaceful and incident-free. Given the historical context, that is a big step forward for Bangladesh,” said Dreier.

While election administration was technically sound, the broader political environment remains fragile, IRI said.

In the immediate post-election period, the delegation encourages political candidates to use legal channels to resolve disputes.

The delegation will continue to monitor the post-election process and issue a final, comprehensive report that includes in-depth analysis and recommendations to improve future elections. 

Preliminary Findings

Pre-election Period: Compared to previous electoral cycles, the pre-election period was relatively peaceful, though clashes occurred during the campaign period across multiple districts, involving supporters of rival political parties.

Hundreds of violent incidents were reported nationwide in the weeks leading up to voting; however, they appeared localised and not centrally coordinated. 

The political environment remained polarized and politically delicate. Long-term analysts noted that some remarks concerning pluralism, equal representation, and the participation of women and ethnic and religious minority communities were made by political party supporters at the local level.

However, it was not always clear whether these statements reflected official party positions or messaging. While such instances were limited, they created uncertainty among stakeholders about commitments to political pluralism. 

Voter Participation

Reforms allowing citizens turning 18 on or before Election Day to vote expanded participation. However, concerns remain about the historical undercounting of women on the voter roll. Positively, many first-time voters, many of whom are under the age of 35, voted on Election Day. Voter turnout stands at 59 percent, marking a significant increase from the previous parliamentary election.

Election Commission Conduct

The Election Commission demonstrated substantial logistical preparedness and executed a complex national operation professionally and effectively. The Commission’s operational transparency represented notable progress compared with prior election cycles.

Reforms such as adopting postal voting for Bangladeshis living abroad, establishing criteria for accrediting citizen observers, and launching a nationwide voter education campaign enhanced transparency and credibility.

Transparency and Oversight

Strong participation from engaged political party polling agents, citizens, and international observers ensured a high level of transparency at many polling stations. However, the delegation noted that while the Commission established criteria to accredit citizen observers and lowered the minimum age to participate from 25 to 21, the allocated observation period of three days is insufficient to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the election.

The Commission should extend the time available for observers to fully analyze the cycle before, during, and after elections, including through the adjudication of disputes and the gazetting of the new parliament.   

Political Participation

Significant underrepresentation of women, along with ethnic and religious minorities, among candidates remains a serious concern. However, no widespread or systematic targeting of minority communities was observed on Election Day, but localized tensions indicate potential vulnerability. Turnout patterns in minority communities should be reviewed against national averages to identify potential anomalies. 

Importantly, historical precedent suggests minority communities may face heightened vulnerability during political transitions, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance. Besides, the suspension of one of the country’s largest political parties from contesting the election resulted in a political environment in which not all political preferences were represented on the ballot. While the electoral process proceeded as administered, the absence of a major political actor narrowed the scope of competition. Addressing questions related to participation and representation will require continued dialogue and engagement among stakeholders.

Election Day Administration

Voting commenced largely on time, essential materials were present, and presiding officers were professional and effective. Queues were orderly and calm, and no widespread or systematic interference with voting was observed.

Polling stations generally closed on time, counting and tabulation were transparent, efficient, and conducted without significant disruption. Many voting rooms were located on upper floors and were not accessible to people with disabilities. The absence of ramps or other structural accommodations posed barriers for elderly and mobility-impaired voters. 

Polling station layouts generally provided adequate privacy for voters; however, the delegation noted instances in which voters who were confused about the meaning and substance of the referendum ballot sought reasonable clarification from polling agents and officers, which may at times have compromised the secrecy of their ballots. 

Instances of partisan political activity were observed near polling station entrances. Groups described as ‘volunteers’ were gathered outside certain polling stations and, in some cases, moved collectively toward polling station entrances. While these activities did not systematically disrupt voting, their proximity raises the risk of undue influence and perceptions of unequal campaign conditions.

Security Environment

The election was conducted under a high security alert, with extensive deployment of police, army units, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansar, and village defense forces nationwide. Authorities designated thousands of polling centers as “high risk” and implemented pre-emptive patrols, checkpoints, and layered security perimeters.

These measures appear to have helped contain isolated incidents and prevented escalation. Violence was limited and primarily confined to isolated clashes and disruptions between rival supporters.

 Major incidents included two crude bomb blasts at centers in Gopalganj and Munshiganj, which resulted in injuries and suspended polling at these locations. However, polling later resumed.