Source: Africa Publicity
Ex-Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has been appointed by the Commonwealth to lead its Observer Group for Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary elections and referendum on the July Charter.
The 13th parliamentary elections and referendum on the July Charter are both scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, announced the appointment of Mr. Akufo-Addo in London on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
According to her, Mr. Akufo-Addo will be leading the 14-member Observer Group.
She said the group was formed following an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission.
She said “As we deploy our team to observe the elections and referendum being held concurrently in Bangladesh, we reaffirm the fundamental importance of credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral processes in strengthening democratic governance and supporting long-term stability.”
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey noted that the presence of the Observer Group was driven by a commitment to the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
She stated that “Our presence in Bangladesh is guided not only by the responsibility to observe, but by a commitment to uphold the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people at this crucial moment in their democratic journey, acting independently and impartially to help ensure that their collective will is freely expressed.”
The mandate of the Commonwealth Observer Group is to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the parliamentary elections and referendum are conducted in a credible, transparent, and inclusive manner, in line with national laws and the standards to which Bangladesh has committed itself.
At the end of the mission, the Group will submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The report will subsequently be shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Election Commission, political parties, all Commonwealth governments, and made publicly available.
