C'wealth to send 14-member team to observe 13th nat'l polls

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey announced a 14-member Observer Group in London to observe Bangladesh's upcoming parliamentary elections, following an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission.

Former Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on the July Charter, scheduled for February 12. 

The Observer Group will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head Adviser, Electoral Support Section.

The mandate of the Commonwealth Observer Group is to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the elections and referendum are conducted in a credible, transparent and inclusive manner, in line with national laws and international commitments, said the Commonwealth Secretariat in a statement. After completing its mission, the Group will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General.