The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on Saturday deployed 56 long-term observers (LTOs) across all 64 districts of the country to monitor the upcoming national elections scheduled.

The election observation mission began its work from this morning by departing from the capital Dhaka to various districts of the country.

Speaking at a press briefing at a city hotel, the Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase said, “The long-term observers are a critical element of our mission. Their observations and insights will ground our impartial and fact-based evaluation of the electoral process.

“Our observers will work in teams of two and in their areas of observation they will meet voters, election officials, candidates and political parties, as well as citizen observers and youth activists not only in the cities, but also in small towns and villages.”

The number of observers is expected to increase closer to the election. Lase said around 90 short-term observers will arrive from Europe, along with a delegation from the European Parliament.

Inta Lase added that diplomats from EU member states and partner countries, including Canada, Norway, and Switzerland, will also support the mission.

The mission was deployed following an invitation from the authorities of Bangladesh and is led by Chief Observer Mr. Ivars Ijabs, a Member of the European Parliament, who officially launched the mission at a press conference on January 11 in Dhaka.

A delegation of Members of the European Parliament will also join the mission.

At full strength, the EU EOM will comprise 200 observers from all 27 EU member states, Canada, Norway and Switzerland.

The EU EOM will present its preliminary findings at a press conference on February 14 in Dhaka.

A final report with recommendations for future electoral processes will be submitted to the authorities after completion of the entire electoral process.

Both documents will be made public and published on the Mission’s website.

The EU EOM operates under a strict code of conduct requiring neutrality and non-interference and conducts its activities in line with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation endorsed under United Nations auspices in 2005, said the EU officials.