27 January 2026
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Today, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) officially launched its International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) for the 13th Parliamentary Elections and Referendum in Bangladesh. The mission commenced today and will continue until 17 February 2026, spanning a period of 22 days. ANFREL will deploy 22 international election observer teams, supported by two electoral analysts and a Mission Management Team, across all eight divisions of the country, covering 71 percent of Bangladesh’s 64 administrative districts.

The 13th Parliamentary Elections and the Referendum are being conducted in the aftermath of the youth-led uprising of 2024 and are expected to complete the transition of power from the interim government established following the uprising to a democratically elected government. In parallel, the referendum seeks public endorsement of proposed constitutional reforms developed through recommendations from various reform commissions and negotiated with political parties through the National Consensus Commission and the July Charter.

ANFREL’s IEOM will focus on the campaign environment and broader political climate; electoral violence and election-related disputes; the participation and inclusion of vulnerable groups; public confidence in the electoral process; and adherence to the legal framework. It will also observe Election Day and post-election processes, including polling operations, vote counting, and the announcement of results.

Recognizing the growing influence of social media in contemporary elections, ANFREL has incorporated a social media monitoring component into its observation efforts, in partnership with The Carter Center. This component will examine online electoral discourse, including the digital activities and messaging of political actors, as well as the measures and efforts undertaken by the Bangladesh Election Commission to monitor, and respond to election-related content in the digital space.

ANFREL’s methodology is grounded in internationally and regionally recognized principles of election observation and is informed by decades of engagement with Bangladeshi stakeholders. In this context, ANFREL conducted a Pre-Election Assessment Mission (PEAM) in Bangladesh between November and December 2025, the findings of which directly inform and strengthen the methodology, analytical framework, and priority areas of focus of the 2026 IEOM. The PEAM examined the broader political, legal, and electoral environment; identified key risks and opportunities affecting electoral integrity; and established context-specific benchmarks.

All ANFREL observers operate under a shared Code of Conduct, and the mission is guided by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. ANFREL’s technical assessment is anchored in three underlying commitments—independence, impartiality, and respect for Bangladesh’s legal and institutional framework.

Prior to deployment, ANFREL’s international election observers will participate in a two-day briefing workshop in Dhaka on 6–7 February 2026, designed to equip them with the necessary methodological tools, operational guidance, and contextual understanding to conduct their work in accordance with international observation standards. A subsequent statement will be released following the briefing, providing details on the deployment of observers across the country. The mission will issue an interim report presenting its preliminary findings and immediate recommendations on 15 February 2026, accompanied by a press briefing in Dhaka. A comprehensive final report will be published following the conclusion of the mission.

ANFREL extends its warm wishes to the people of Bangladesh and calls upon all stakeholders including the Election Management Body, political parties, candidates, law enforcement authorities, civil society, media and voters to work collectively to ensure that the 13th Parliamentary Elections and Referendum are conducted in a free, fair, accountable, transparent, and inclusive manner that genuinely reflects the will of the people.

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ABOUT ANFREL

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), established in 1997, promotes democratic elections in Asia through election observation, capacity building, and advocacy efforts.  ANFREL has a longstanding engagement in Bangladesh, including its observation of the 2001 and 2008 National Parliamentary Elections, during which it assessed polling, counting, results management, and the broader conditions for political participation. 

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For media inquiries, please contact: Ms. Brizza Rosales, Mission Executive Director –  brizza@anfrel.org; Mr. Tharindu Abeyrathna, Mission Coordinator tharindu@anfrel.org;  Mr. John Reiner Antiquerra, Senior Program Officer for Outreach and Communication  – john@anfrel.org

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