Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh, Ivars Ijabs, on Thursday said it is really a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy as they began observing the country’s twin elections —national election and referendum—across the country. "I think this really a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy," he told reporters at Siddheswari Girls' College at New Bailey Road after observing the opening of the vote casting. They deployed 90 short-term observers (STOs) to observe the election day proceedings in all 64 administrative districts of the country. The short-term observers will observe opening of polling centres, voting, closing, as well as counting of the ballots and the tabulation of results. “The short-term observers will be present in cities, towns and villages in almost every constituency.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 12, 2026 03:15 UTC