Former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been appointed to chair a 14-member Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary elections and a nationwide referendum, both scheduled for February 12, 2026.
The appointment was announced in London on January 21, 2026, by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, following a formal request from the Bangladesh Election Commission.
The Observer Group will oversee Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections, which will be held alongside a referendum on the July Charter — a post-uprising reform framework that proposes far-reaching political and constitutional changes. The July Charter is seen as a key document aimed at reshaping governance structures and strengthening democratic accountability in the country.
Announcing the deployment, Ms Botchwey described the mission as both timely and significant for Bangladesh’s democratic process. She emphasised that credible, transparent, and inclusive elections are critical to democratic governance and long-term national stability.
She noted that the Commonwealth’s role in such missions goes beyond routine observation, stressing that the organisation is committed to supporting democratic values and institutional integrity in member states.
“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,” Ms Botchwey said. She added that the mission would be conducted independently and impartially to help ensure the free expression of the will of the people.
The Secretary-General also commended members of the Observer Group for their dedication and willingness to commit the early part of the year to supporting democratic processes in Bangladesh. She expressed appreciation for their service, noting that such missions play a vital role in strengthening public confidence in electoral outcomes.
Mr Akufo-Addo will chair the Observer Group and will be joined by election specialists and professionals drawn from across the Commonwealth. The team includes experts in politics, law, media, gender advocacy, and electoral administration, ensuring a broad and balanced assessment of the electoral and referendum processes.
The mission will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head and Adviser at the Commonwealth’s Electoral Support Section. The Secretariat will provide technical, administrative, and analytical support to enable the Observer Group to carry out its mandate effectively.
According to the Commonwealth, the Group’s mandate is to assess all aspects of the electoral and referendum processes. This includes examining whether the polls are conducted in line with Bangladesh’s national laws, as well as the democratic standards and principles to which the country has committed itself as a member of the Commonwealth.
At the conclusion of the mission, a comprehensive report detailing the Group’s findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The report will also be shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Election Commission, political parties, Commonwealth member states, and the general public.
The Observer Group comprises eminent personalities, including former ministers, electoral commissioners, legal scholars, civil society leaders, and media experts from Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Zambia.
The deployment underscores the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to promoting democratic governance, transparency, and credible elections across its member states. For Bangladesh, the February 2026 polls and referendum are widely seen as a critical moment that could shape the country’s political and constitutional future for years to come.
