Dhaka: The US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) today confirmed Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus that the organization will send at least 10 international observers for Bangladesh’s national election in February next. The confirmation came at a meeting between the Chief Adviser and an IRI delegation at the State Guest House Jamuna here today, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing this evening.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, “We will have robust election observation in February,” said Christopher J. Fussner, member of the Board of Directors of IRI and head of the delegation. He emphasized that the deployment of election observers would help reduce the likelihood of violence during the voting process. The meeting included other notable figures such as Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the CNAS; Jessica Keegan, Technical Expert on Democratic Elections and Political Processes at IRI; Steve Cima, Resident Program Director at IRI; and Jami Spykerman, Program Director at the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
The IRI delegation is currently visiting Bangladesh to evaluate the pre-election environment and plans to meet with all major political parties. During the meeting, they shared insights from previous election observations and discussed electoral reforms with the Chief Adviser. They expressed optimism about the current political climate, with Fussner praising the conditions for the upcoming general election. “All parties want election. From our experience of the previous elections, we can see a positive atmosphere, which feels really good,” he noted.
The delegation stressed the importance of including local observers from civil society, such as student groups, to enhance transparency. They also addressed the dangers of misinformation during elections, with Chief Adviser Professor Yunus acknowledging it as a significant threat to democracy. “The biggest threat to democracy today is disinformation,” he stated, noting its potential for immediate tension and reaction.
Concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence to fabricate images and sway public opinion were also raised by Fussner. Professor Yunus assured that Bangladesh is on track for a peaceful and inclusive election, highlighting the significance of the upcoming election for young voters, as half of the population is under 27.
He emphasized the importance of the July National Charter as a milestone for Bangladesh’s democratic progress, with most political parties having signed it and others expected to follow. The IRI delegates commended Professor Yunus for his leadership during the transition period, with one delegate describing his efforts as remarkable.
SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed was also present at the meeting.