Six international organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have agreed to deploy at least 63 observers for Bangladesh’s 13th general election and the referendum on the July National Charter, both scheduled for February.

They will join observer missions from the European Union, 16 countries and 32 individuals affiliated with various global bodies, bringing the total number of confirmed international observers for the dual polls to 330 so far, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Saturday.

The number of international observers confirmed for the upcoming election is more than double that of the controversial general election held on January 7, 2024.

The number of international observers for the 12th, 11th, and 10th general elections stood at 158, 125, and four respectively.

Shakir Mahmood Bandar, Head of the OIC Election Observation Unit, will lead the two-member OIC observer mission.

Besides, 28 observers will arrive 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), also based in the United States.

Thirty-two observers representing organisations such as Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, the SAARC Human Rights Foundation, and the Polish Institute of International Affairs will monitor the election in their individual capacities, according to information received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Election Commission.

16 countries to send 57 observers for Feb 12 election

“We expect the number of international observers to increase, as several countries invited to send observer missions have yet to confirm the names of their delegates,” said Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Murshed, who is overseeing coordination of the international observer visits.

The invited countries yet to confirm their delegates include India, Nepal, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, and Romania.

Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) is also expected to name its delegates soon.

Nearly 2,000 candidates, representing more than 50 political parties as well as independent contenders, are contesting the 300 parliamentary seats.

The general election in Bangladesh will be held simultaneously with a referendum on the July National Charter.