The Election Commission has formally invited international observers and foreign media to monitor the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election and national referendum, scheduled for February 12, 2026.
In a notice issued on Thursday, the Commission emphasized its commitment to holding a "free, fair, credible, and participatory" election. The move is seen as a crucial step in ensuring international transparency for the first general polls following the country’s recent political transition.
Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, Akhtar Ahmed, stated that the Commission intends to keep all electoral activities open to observation. He invited global monitoring bodies and media organizations to observe the proceedings alongside local monitors to verify the integrity of the vote.
The Commission has set a deadline of January 17, 2026, for all international accreditation applications. Interested organizations must comply with specific clauses of the 'Guidelines for International Election Observers and Foreign Media 2025' to be eligible for the mission.
According to the official schedule, the dual-ballot day will involve both the parliamentary race and a referendum on the "July Charter" reforms. To facilitate the presence of the international community, the EC has simplified the liaison process, appointing Director of Public Relations Md. Ruhul Amin Mollik as the primary point of contact for foreign delegates.
Accredited observers will be granted access to polling stations and counting centers across the country. The Commission also noted that all related guidelines and application forms have been made available on its official website for immediate access.
As the nation prepares for what many analysts describe as a "landmark election," the EC has also finalized logistics for over 127 million voters. Government officials noted that the presence of foreign observers is expected to bolster public confidence and provide a global seal of approval for the transition back to a stable democratic framework.
