DHAKA (Web Desk) – More than 55,000 observers are monitoring Bangladesh’s elections being held today following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
According to the Bangladesh Election Commission, 55,454 observers from 81 local organizations are overseeing the electoral process.
In addition, 394 foreign observers are present, along with nearly 200 international journalists who have arrived to cover the elections and referendum proceedings.
Among the international delegates, 80 represent various global organizations, while others have come from different countries, including independent European observers.
Key organizations sending monitoring teams include the Asian Network for Free Elections, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the US-based International Republican Institute, and the National Democratic Institute.
Representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, and the European External Action Service are also participating.
Observers have arrived from 21 countries, including Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Jordan, Türkiye, Iran, Georgia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Additionally, 51 individual observers from organizations such as Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, SAARC Human Rights Foundation, and the Polish Institute of International Affairs are monitoring the process independently.
To ensure free and fair elections, authorities have deployed more than 958,000 security personnel across the country to prevent any untoward incidents and enable voters to cast their ballots without fear.
Analysts believe that a clear majority for any party will be crucial for stability in the nation of over 175 million people, as the country continues to recover from political unrest that affected its economy and key industries, including the garment sector — the world’s second-largest exporter in that field.
