13th National Parliamentary ElectionEC invites 26 countries including Pakistan, India to assess elections

The Election Commission (EC) has invited key election officials from 26 countries including Pakistan and India to observe and evaluate the national elections scheduled on 12 February.

Seven international organisations have also been invited to observe the polls. The EC will bear all the expenses for the visiting election observers during their stay in Bangladesh, it said in a statement.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has already sent letters to 83 individuals from these countries and organisations, according to Md Asadul Haque, assistant director of public relations at the EC.

The invitations include an offer of five days of official hospitality, covering travel expenses to and from Bangladesh.

In total, 93 high-ranking officials have been invited including chief election officials from Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Thailand, Indonesia, Nigeria and South Africa.

From the seven global bodies, SAARC Secretary General and Bangladesh ambassador to the organisation Md Golam Sarwar, Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha have been invited, among others.

Each organisation or country may send up to two representatives, including the head of the election management authority. Letters sent on Dec 30 asked invitees to confirm participation by Jan 15.

Earlier, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the European Union would send 175–200 observers in phases. Some other organisations have also expressed interest in sending observers independently.

Foreign media and journalists wishing to observe the elections must apply by Jan 17.

Currently, 81 domestic observer organisations are registered with the EC, which has run a registration system since 2008.

Organisations are now registered for five years to monitor elections.