EC approves 66 local election watchdogs ahead of national polls

The Election Commission (EC) has granted final registration to 66 local election observer organisations ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday, said a press release issued by the commission.

Earlier on 28 September, the EC published a preliminary list of 73 local organisations eligible to monitor the polls, seeking written objections or complaints against them by 20 October. After reviewing the claims and verifying evidence, seven organisations were dropped from the list.

"Objections were raised against several organisations after the initial selection, and upon review, registration was withheld from seven of them," said EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

Among the organisations receiving final registration are Pathway, Pallisree, RISDA Bangladesh, Rashmi Human Development Organization, Integrated Community Development Society, Democracy Watch, Odhikar, Lighthouse, Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK), and ADAB, among others.

The EC also announced that the registration of 96 observer organisations registered before the 12th parliamentary election has been automatically cancelled under Section 16 of the Election Observation Policy 2025.