Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will lead a 14-member Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections and nationwide referendum on February 12, 2026.
The group comprises experts in politics, law, media, gender, and election administration from across the Commonwealth.
They will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head and Adviser at the Commonwealth’s Electoral Support Section.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, announced the group’s composition in London, following an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission.
The mandate of the Commonwealth Observer Group is to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the elections and referendum are conducted in a credible, transparent, and inclusive manner.
The Group will report on the conduct of the electoral process in line with the standards to which Bangladesh has committed itself, including its national laws.
Upon completion of its mission, the Observer Group will submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
The report will subsequently be shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Election Commission, political parties, all Commonwealth governments, and made publicly available.
Critical moment
Announcing the deployment, the Commonwealth Secretary-General stressed the importance of the mission at a critical moment in Bangladesh’s democratic journey.
“As we deploy our team to observe the elections and referendum being held concurrently in Bangladesh, we reaffirm the fundamental importance of credible, transparent and inclusive electoral processes in strengthening democratic governance and supporting long-term stability,” she said.
“Our presence in Bangladesh is guided not only by the responsibility to observe, but by a commitment to uphold the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people at this crucial moment in their democratic journey, acting independently and impartially to help ensure that their collective will is freely expressed,” she added.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to these eminent Commonwealth citizens who have dedicated the beginning of their new year to preparing for this significant assignment in support of the people of Bangladesh,” she stated.
Source:
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