SS Correspondent
Dhaka, Apr 28:
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has presented its final report on Bangladesh’s 12 February parliamentary elections, offering 19 recommendations to strengthen future electoral processes.
Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs, a Member of the European Parliament, described the الانتخابات as a ‘credible and competently managed’ process that marked an important step toward restoring democratic governance and the rule of law. However, he noted that legal and procedural gaps remain and called for continued reforms.
The report highlighted several positive aspects, including a strengthened legal framework aligned with international standards, the professional role of the Election Commission, and the successful participation of around 770,000 overseas voters. It also noted proactive roles of electoral committees and efforts to counter disinformation.
Despite these gains, the mission identified key challenges. Women’s participation in the elections was minimal, indicating a lack of political will to ensure inclusivity. Weak enforcement of campaign regulations and limited oversight of campaign financing created an uneven playing field. Concerns were also raised over digital harassment, media freedom, and insufficient safeguards for online information integrity.
The EU mission proposed six priority reforms, including revising electoral laws, strengthening campaign finance oversight, promoting women’s participation, ensuring transparency in vote tabulation, and improving digital safety.
Ijabs said the EU stands ready to support Bangladesh in implementing these reforms, reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles. The mission deployed 223 observers across all 64 districts during the election period.
Source: EU Election observer
