What Will the EU Team Find in Bangladesh's Electoral Environment Next Month?
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Synopsis
The upcoming visit of the EU's pre-election observation team to Bangladesh is set to assess the country's electoral environment in September, ahead of the pivotal 13th parliamentary polls. This critical evaluation aims to ensure a fair election process amidst ongoing political developments.
Key Takeaways
- EU observation team to assess electoral environment
- Visit scheduled for mid-September
- Audit reports from political parties are crucial
- Multiple voter lists to be published this year
- Transparency in elections is essential for democracy
Dhaka, August 4 (NationPress) The Senior Secretary of Bangladesh's Election Commission, Akhtar Ahmed, announced on Monday that a pre-election observation team from the European Union (EU) is scheduled to visit the country in September. This visit aims to evaluate the "electoral environment" prior to the 13th parliamentary elections, which are set to take place next year.
According to Akhtar Ahmed, the EU’s pre-election observer team will arrive in mid-September and will consist of three international and four local observers. This information was confirmed through an official communication from Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During a press briefing on the preparations for the upcoming elections, he stated that the EU team will examine the readiness of the Election Commission for the parliamentary elections.
As reported by the United News of Bangladesh, Ahmed mentioned that registered political parties are legally obligated to submit their audited financial statements for the previous calendar year by July 31. Out of 51 registered parties, 30 have complied, while 15 have requested an extension, and six are newly registered.
Among the new parties, one indicated that it is not yet eligible to provide an audit report based on last year’s activities. Ahmed further noted that five other parties have yet to respond. This statistical update will be sent from the EC Secretariat to the Commission for further action.
The Election Commission has received 148 applications for new political party registration by the June 22 deadline. Out of these, three were identified as duplicates, leaving 145 valid applications. All valid parties have been asked to submit additional documentation to address inconsistencies.
According to Ahmed, 80 parties have submitted their documents, six have requested time extensions, while 59 have not responded. These cases will be presented to the Commission for guidance, as the submitted documents undergo compliance checks.
The poll body is also preparing to publish two supplementary voter lists by August 10. One will include newly registered voters, and another will remove deceased voters from the rolls. Applications for corrections, address changes, and the removal of ineligible or deceased voters from the two draft lists will be accepted until August 21. After reviewing the documents, eligible names will be added, and the final electoral roll will be published on August 31.
He added that three separate voter lists will be released this year, with one already published on March 2. The second list is due on August 31, and a third list for newly eligible voters will be finalized based on a new cutoff date before the election schedule is announced.
Point of View
The visit of the EU's pre-election observation team highlights the importance of transparency and compliance in the electoral process. It is critical for Bangladesh to demonstrate its commitment to a fair democratic process, ensuring that all registered political parties and their financial disclosures are properly managed. The Election Commission's proactive measures will be key to maintaining trust in the electoral system.
NationPress
08/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the EU team's visit?
The EU team's visit aims to evaluate the electoral environment in Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
When will the EU observation team visit Bangladesh?
The EU observation team is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in mid-September.
How many observers will be part of the EU team?
The EU pre-election observation team will consist of three international and four local observers.
What is required from registered political parties?
Registered political parties must submit their audited financial statements for the previous calendar year by July 31.
What will happen to the voter lists?
The Election Commission will release two supplementary voter lists by August 10, with a final electoral roll published on August 31.
