Akufo-Addo Leads Commonwealth Observation Group to Bangladesh

Former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has led a 13-member Commonwealth Observer Group to Bangladesh for their upcoming 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on the July Charter.

They arrived on February 4, and we will remain in the country until February 18.

In a statement, the Chairperson of the group said its mandate is to observe, not to interfere in the electoral process, and to provide an impartial account of its observations.

Akufo-Addo further stated that their presence reaffirms the Commonwealth’s continuing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh.

“We will assess the pre-election environment, polling day, and the post-election period. We will consider the electoral process as a whole and report on whether it has been conducted in accordance with national laws, Commonwealth values, and international standards to which Bangladesh has committed herself.

“We shall remain objective and impartial in discharging our mandate. The Group’s assessment is independent and will be its own, not that of the Commonwealth Secretariat nor any individual member country.”

Since their arrival, the Observer Group has been briefed by a wide range of stakeholders, including election officials, political party representatives, civil society organisations, law enforcement agencies, members of the diplomatic community, and domestic and international observers.

Members will be deployed to selected divisions to observe the pre-election environment on February 10 and will subsequently observe the opening of polls, voting, closing, counting, and the management of results.

The group is expected to issue an Interim Statement of its preliminary findings on February 14 before submitting a final report to the Commonwealth Secretary General and the general public.

The chairperson thereby urged all stakeholders to uphold important values for the benefit and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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