EC invites applications for int’l observers by Nov 21

The Election Commission has invited applications from interested international observers and media by November 21 to monitor the 12th parliamentary polls.

The EC gives great importance to the observation of the election process for the sake of transparency, it said today in a notice.

The election is scheduled to take place in the first half of January 2024.

According to the notice, the EC is committed to holding free, fair, credible and peaceful elections under any circumstances.

The EC wants foreign election observers and foreign media along with local observers to observe the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections, the notice signed by EC secretary Jahangir Alam said.

According to the Guidelines for International Election Observers and Foreign Media, applicants of election observers -- individuals and organizations -- should have working experience in good governance, election, democracy, peacebuilding and human rights.

An aspiring organisation that wants to monitor an election should be registered in its own country and produce that evidence to EC. They should comply with the election laws of Bangladesh.

Application for accreditation as an observer by a person who has been convicted of any electoral offence or any other offence involving fraudulent activity or dishonesty will not be considered by the authority, said the guideline.