EU Election Observation Mission to Bangladesh deploys 56 long-term observers nationwide

Today, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh deployed 56 long-term observers (LTOs) to all 64 administrative districts of Bangladesh. "The long-term observers are a critical element of our mission. Their observations and insights Will ground our impartial and fact-based evaluation of the electoral process," said the Deputy Chief Observer, Inta Lase.

The EU EOM employs its robust and well-established methodology of long-term, nation-wide observation, providing a balanced and thorough analysis of the electoral process. Long-term observers will closely follow key aspects of the election at regional level and support the analysis of the core team experts based in Dhaka.

"Our observers will work in teams of two and in their areas of observation they will meet voters, election officials, candidates and political parties, as well as citizen observers and youth activists not only in the cities, but also in small towns and in villages," said the Deputy Chief Observer, Inta Lase.

The observers are drawn from EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland and prior to deployment have received extensive briefings on electoral process, the political environment, the legal framework, and the media and social landscapes in Bangladesh.

This Mission was deployed following the invitation of Bangladesh's authorities and is led by Chief Observer Mr. Ivars Ijabs, Member of the European Parliament, who officially launched the mission at the press conference on 11 January, in Dhaka.

As election day approaches, the mission will be further strengthened with 90 short-term observers and observers from the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland, who will observe the election day proceedings - voting, counting, and tabulation of results. A delegation of Members of the European Parliament will further reinforce the mission. At full strength the EU EOM will comprise 200 observers, drawn from all 27 EU member states, Canada, Norway and Switzerland.

The EU EOM will present its preliminary findings in a statement at a press conference on 14 February in Dhaka. A final report offering recommendations for future electoral processes will be presented to the authorities after the completion of the entire electoral process. Both documents will be public and available on the Mission's website.

The EU EOM is bound by a code of conduct, which requires strict neutrality and non-interference. It undertakes its work in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, endorsed under UN auspices in 2005.