Dhaka: European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs on Sunday explained the terms ‘inclusive and participatory’ in the context of the upcoming national elections, emphasizing the inclusion of all social groups in Bangladesh. “And as for the inclusive participatory, this is an important issue. I think the inclusive means, from our perspective first of all, the inclusion of all social groups of Bangladesh citizens – groups like women, groups like ethnic, religious, minorities, and also the regional groups to participate,” he stated.
According to United News of Bangladesh, during a crowded media briefing, a journalist highlighted a shift in the interpretation of the terms inclusive and participatory. Chief Observer Ijabs responded by underscoring the importance of credible voter turnout as a reflection of active citizen engagement in the democratic process of Bangladesh. He emphasized that inclusivity involves not only the capacity of citizens to participate but also the assurance of fair and transparent counting.
Ijabs acknowledged issues such as party registration, national reconciliation, and transitional justice, noting that while the EU EOM will not comment on these matters, they will monitor them for any impact on the election and voter turnout. The national election, set for February 12, will occur without the participation of Bangladesh Awami due to the suspension of its activities and party registration.
Addressing concerns about minority group intimidation, Ijabs stated that EU observers will be deployed across all 64 districts to specifically monitor this issue. When questioned about potential election-related violence, he expressed hope that Bangladeshis would address these concerns, stressing the value of every human life.
The EU EOM, invited by Bangladeshi authorities, has been deployed to observe the February 12 parliamentary elections. Led by Chief Observer Ijabs, the mission began its activities in late December 2025, with 56 long-term observers set to cover all administrative districts in Bangladesh. This marks the first comprehensive EU election observation mission in Bangladesh since 2008.
Chief Observer Ijabs emphasized the EU’s commitment to its partnership with Bangladesh, rooted in democratic principles. The mission will engage with various electoral stakeholders, including election administration, political parties, judiciary, civil society, and media, to assess aspects such as election preparations, legal frameworks, campaign conduct, and electoral dispute resolution. The mission will also evaluate political and civic participation, focusing on women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
The EU EOM will utilize media and social media monitoring units to determine the extent to which these platforms inform voters. The mission aims to ensure that elections comply with national laws and international standards adopted by Bangladesh. The mission’s technical assessment will adhere to principles of independence, impartiality, and non-interference, employing a long-term, nationwide observation methodology.
At full capacity, the mission will consist of approximately 200 observers from EU Member States, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland, including a core team of analysts, long-term observers, short-term observers, and a delegation from the European Parliament. The mission will issue a preliminary statement two days post-election and a final report with recommendations approximately two months later.
European diplomats, including EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, attended the media briefing.