Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that the European Union (EU) is likely to send between 175 and 200 election observers for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary polls. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the development in Dhaka, noting that an administrative agreement has been signed among the EU, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the EC. The EU delegation will be led by Member of the European Parliament Ivars Ijabs.

According to Ahmed, the agreement was finalized earlier but awaited formal approval from Brussels, which was received recently. The EC will provide logistical and administrative support to the EU mission, including assistance with travel and movement across the country. However, the Commission has requested that observers strictly follow local security protocols, particularly in sensitive areas such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The deployment of EU observers is seen as a step toward ensuring transparency and international confidence in the electoral process. The final number of observers and their detailed schedule will be announced later.