Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) has released the Election Observation Guidelines 2025 for domestic observers in preparation for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the guidelines allow observer organizations to deploy observers for three days: the day before the election, on Election Day, and the day after the election.
To qualify as an election observer, individuals must be at least 21 years old and have completed the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination or possess an equivalent qualification. Md. Shariful Alam, Director of Public Relations at the EC Secretariat, explained these requirements. The new guidelines replace the 2023 version and have annulled the registrations of 96 observer organizations previously authorized under the earlier policy.
The guidelines specify that observers must be Bangladeshi citizens, at least 21 years old, and must have HSC-level education or its equivalent. Observers need to be nominated by registered or approved observer organizations and cannot be affiliated with any political party or have any personal or financial interest in a contesting candidate.
Only EC-approved organizations will be permitted to deploy observers to monitor the electoral process. Observers are required to refrain from monitoring in their own electoral constituencies. Md. Ashadul Haque, Assistant Director of Public Relations at the EC, noted that several new provisions have been incorporated into the latest guidelines. While the minimum educational requirement for observers has been raised, the minimum age limit has been reduced from previous policies. Observer registrations approved during the 12th parliamentary elections have now been annulled.