About the EOM Bangladesh 2026
ABOUT THE MISSION
The Mission's mandate is to observe all aspects of the electoral process and assess the extent to which the elections comply with the laws of Bangladesh as well as with international and regional standards for democratic elections.
EU EOM COMPOSITION
The mission will comprise around 200 observers from 27 EU Member States as well as Norway, Switzerland, Canada .
A Core Team of (11 analysts arrived in Dhaka on 29 December. The Core Team assesses all aspects and stages of the electoral process, including electoral, legal, political and media issues. They are supported by logistical and security experts.
56 Long-Term Observers will be deployed on 17 January to cover all divisions. They observe the electoral process in their areas and report to the Core Team in
Dhaka.
Shortly before election day, they will be joined by 90 Short-Term Observers. On election day, the mission will be reinforced by observers from diplomatic missions accredited in Bangladesh and members of the EU Parliament. They observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results.
EU EOM MANDATE
The mission’s mandate is to observe all aspects of the electoral process and assess the extent to which the elections comply with the laws of Bangladesh as well as regional and international commitments for democratic elections.
The EU EOM is independent in its findings and conclusions from the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, EU Member States, and all EU institutions. EU observers adhere to a code of conduct for international election observation - they maintain strict neutrality and impartiality in the course of their work and do not interfere in the electoral process. The EU observation methodology is public and applied in the same manner by all EU EOMs deployed around the world.
The EU EOM operates in accordance with the “Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation” endorsed at the United Nations in 2005 by a number of international bodies involved in election observation. At all times the EU Observers respect a Code of Conduct that ensures their neutrality and impartiality . EU observers are also bound by Ethical Guidelines (hyperlink to Ethical Guidelines).
The EU EOM will observe and assess the following aspects, among others:
• the legal framework and its implementation;
• the registration of political entities and candidates;
• the performance of the election administration and other relevant government authorities;
• voter registration;
• campaign activities and campaign finance;
• the overall election environments, including respect for fundamental freedoms, civil and political rights;
• the participation of women, vulnerable groups and minorities;
• the role of the media, including online election-related content;
• the role of citizen observers and their access to the process;
• voting, counting and tabulation of results;
• the complaints and appeals process;
• the announcement of the results and any further post-election developments.
In the course of its observation, the EU EOM will meet with representatives of the Bangladesh Election Commission, relevant state and local authorities and political parties, as well as with representatives of civil society, the media and the international community, including other international election observation missions. The EU EOM will observe the opening of polling stations across Bangladesh voting and counting as well as the tabulation of results and the following complaints and appeals procedures.
EU EOM METHODOLOGY
The EU EOM uses an established observation methodology in order to assess election processes against international standards and good practices for genuine democratic elections. Observers do not interfere in the electoral process. And the EU EOM does not legitimize the electoral process nor does it validates the election results.
The EU EOM will publish a Preliminary Statement shortly after election day. This statement will outline the EU EOM's initial findings and conclusions, and the extent to which the Mission considers the election has so far been conducted in line with (Bangladesh law as well as regional and international standards for democratic elections.
A comprehensive final report, including recommendations to improve future electoral processes, will be presented to the Bangladesh authorities and other electoral stakeholders approximately two months after the completion of the election observation process. Following the issuing of the final report, the EU engages the host country authorities in follow-up to the recommendations, to encourage their implementation during the inter-election period. Such follow-up is an integral part of the EU’s political dialogue with partner countries and may also include technical assistance to support election reform.
The EU EOM Preliminary Statement(s) and the Final Report are public documents. Both will be available on this website.