The Commonwealth has announced it will send a 14-member observer mission to monitor Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the national referendum on the "July Charter."

On Wednesday (January 21), Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey announced the team in London. The delegation will be led by H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, the former President of Ghana.

Commitment to Democracy
In the announcement, the Secretary-General emphasized the importance of credible and transparent elections:

"By deploying our team to observe the elections and referendum being held concurrently in Bangladesh, we reaffirm the fundamental importance of a credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral process in strengthening democratic governance and ensuring long-term stability. Our presence is not just a duty of observation; it is a commitment to upholding the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people at this crucial democratic juncture."

She also expressed her gratitude to the distinguished Commonwealth citizens for dedicating their time at the start of the new year to fulfill this significant responsibility.

Composition and Mandate
The mission will include experts in politics, law, media, gender, and election management from various Commonwealth nations. The team will be supported by a staff from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Linford Andrews, Adviser and Head of the Electoral Support Section.

Key Objectives of the Mission

• Independent Evaluation: To provide an independent assessment of whether the polls and referendum are conducted in a credible, transparent, and inclusive manner.
• Compliance Review: To report on the electoral process based on Bangladesh’s national laws and the international standards the country has committed to.
• Final Reporting: Following the mission, the group will submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Secretary-General. This report will subsequently be shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Election Commission, political parties, and the public.

Members of the Observer Team
The 14-member team includes prominent figures from across the globe:

• Mrs. Lebrechtta Nana Oye Hesse-Bayne (Antigua and Barbuda) - President, Caribbean Women in Leadership.
• Mr. Neil Philip Ford (Canada) - Communications Specialist.
• Ms. Miliana Iga Ramatanivai (Fiji) - Coordinator, Pacific Youth Council.
• Datuk (Dr.) Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi (Malaysia) - Former Senator.
• H.E. Jeffrey Salim Waheed (Maldives) - Former Deputy Foreign Minister.
• Mr. Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman (Mauritius) - Electoral Commissioner.
• Prof. David John Francis (Sierra Leone) - Former Foreign Minister.
• Prof. Mandla Mchunu (South Africa) - Former Chief Electoral Officer.
• Dr. Dinesha Samararatne (Sri Lanka) - Professor of Law, University of Colombo.
• Prof. Winifred Mary Tarinyeba Kiryabwire (Uganda) - Legal Expert.
• Ms. Rosemary Ajayi (United Kingdom) - Social Media Expert.
• Mr. Kryticous Patrick Nshindano (Zambia) - Chief Electoral Officer.