Dhaka, February 14: The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has described the 13th parliamentary elections held in Bangladesh on February 14 as reliable and well-managed. The EU EOM emphasized that this election is a crucial step towards restoring democratic governance and the rule of law.
In a press briefing in Dhaka, Ivars Ijabs, a Member of the European Parliament and the chief observer of the mission, made this statement. A delegation of MEPs, led by Tomas Zdechovsky, expressed support for the election results.
Ijabs stated, “The 2026 parliamentary election was indeed competitive, with fundamental freedoms largely respected. The legal framework of the elections is mostly in line with international standards, while the Bangladesh Election Commission operated with independence and transparency.”
He also acknowledged the contributions of citizen observers, fact-checkers, and youth and women activists in enhancing transparency and helping voters make informed choices.
However, the mission pointed out several shortcomings, including low participation of persons with disabilities, limited political space for women, occasional local political violence, and the persistent fear of mob attacks fueled by misinformation.
The observers noted that due to a lack of positive action measures, there is also underrepresentation of tribal communities and minorities in politics. Ijabs urged Bangladesh to move away from outdated practices and promote independent institutions, human rights, and accountability.
Additionally, Zdechovsky remarked, “The country is now entering a new critical phase. We appeal to the new parliament and government, with the support of all governmental institutions, to implement the approved reforms.”
The EU EOM has been in Bangladesh since the end of 2025, with 223 international observers from EU member states, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland deployed across all 64 districts on election day. The EU EOM will also closely monitor the post-election situation in Bangladesh and will provide a final report later.
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