EU Observer Says Last Three Elections Lacked Credibility

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs on Sunday said Bangladesh’s previous three parliamentary elections were not considered credible, while noting strong public enthusiasm surrounding the upcoming national election and referendum.

Ijabs made the remarks during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna, where discussions focused on preparations for the polls and the referendum.

Briefing reporters later, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said there was no discussion during the meeting about the Awami League or its participation in the election. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the briefing.

At the invitation of the Bangladeshi authorities, the European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. Led by Ivars Ijabs, a Member of the European Parliament from Latvia, the mission began work in late December 2025.

The observation effort is being expanded with the deployment of 56 long-term observers across all 64 administrative districts. This marks the first full-scale EU election observation mission in Bangladesh since 2008.

Ijabs said the EU would send a large and comprehensive team, describing the forthcoming election as historic. He added that observers would monitor all stages of the electoral process and engage with major political parties and other stakeholders nationwide.

According to Alam, the meeting was extensive and covered election preparedness, ensuring a level playing field for political parties, and the referendum, particularly the campaign for a “Yes” vote.

He noted that although the EU does not deploy election observation missions in many countries, it decided to do so in Bangladesh due to the country’s large population, strong trade ties with the EU, and longstanding friendly relations. He also pointed out that no EU election observation mission was sent during nearly sixteen years of Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.

Prof Yunus assured the EU that the upcoming election and referendum would be conducted in a free, fair, credible, peaceful, and festive manner. He said both the Election Commission and the interim government were fully prepared and committed to ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.

The Chief Adviser thanked the EU for sending the observation mission, calling it crucial for holding a credible election and supporting Bangladesh’s democratic transition. He also said the interim government has been conducting awareness campaigns and would continue its efforts in support of the referendum.

SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, among others, attended the meeting.