The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has termed Bangladesh's 2026 parliamentary elections "credible" and "competently managed", describing the process as a step towards restoring democratic governance and the rule of law.
Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs made the remarks at a media briefing on Tuesday at a local hotel, where he presented the mission's final report containing 19 recommendations, including six priority measures aimed at strengthening the integrity of future elections.
"This credible electoral process propelled the renewal of democracy," he said.
The mission, however, noted that sporadic localised political violence and a persistent fear of mob attacks, often fuelled by manipulated online narratives, undermined parts of the democratic process. It also highlighted limited political space for women, warning that restricted participation weakened inclusivity.
Key recommendations include revising the legal framework for parliamentary elections, ensuring transparent vote tabulation at upazila and district levels, and amending the Representation of the People Order to secure 33 per cent women's representation in all internal party committees by 2030.
Ijabs said improving and refining the electoral process remains an ongoing exercise in any country, including Bangladesh. He added that the EU EOM looks forward to engaging with national stakeholders to discuss the recommendations and continue an inclusive dialogue to strengthen democracy, uphold the rule of law and build public trust.
"Although the elections bolstered public trust, legal and procedural gaps remain, signalling the need to continue the reform process in line with the July National Charter and beyond," he said, adding that the European Union stands ready to support national partners in implementing the recommendations.
The chief observer also met Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Sunday and presented the mission's final report and recommendations.
The report is based on long-term, independent observation of the electoral process across all 64 districts. The EU EOM has been present in Bangladesh since the end of 2025 and, on election day, 22 February, deployed 223 international observers from EU member states as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
e mission had earlier presented its preliminary statement on 14 February, describing the elections as genuinely competitive, with fundamental freedoms broadly respected and the Bangladesh Election Commission operating independently and transparently.
