EU Observer Terms Poll Credible, Competitive

Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh Ivars Ijabs

Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Bangladesh, Ivars Ijabs, has described the country’s national election as credible, genuinely competitive and pluralistic, though he pointed to shortcomings in women’s representation.

Speaking after monitoring voting activities, Ijabs said the overall electoral environment allowed for meaningful competition among parties and candidates. However, he noted that greater participation of women in politics remains an area that requires attention.

On voter turnout, he observed that participation levels fluctuate historically and that declining turnout is a broader concern affecting democracies worldwide.

According to the Election Commission, 59.44 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots in the national election.

Earlier, while visiting Siddheswari Girls’ College in the capital to observe the opening of voting, Ijabs described the occasion as an important day for Bangladesh’s democracy, as the country held both parliamentary elections and a referendum simultaneously.