ISLAMABAD: Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) Ivars Ijabs on Friday said the European Union wants Bangladesh’s upcoming national election to be free, fair, and peaceful, according to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) News.

He made the remarks at a briefing at the Sylhet Press Club, attended by Press Club President Muktabis Un Nur and EU-EOM Press Officer Eberhard Laue.

Ijabs said the EU-EOM will observe the Feb. 12 election in line with the principles of independence, impartiality, and non-interference, but will not certify the election results.

Around 200 observers

He said around 200 observers are involved in the mission, including long-term observers deployed across all 64 districts, as well as analysts, diplomats and a delegation from the European Parliament.

The chief observer said the mission will assess the participation of women, young people, and vulnerable groups in the electoral process, as well as the role of traditional and social media in helping voters make informed choices.

The EU-EOM began its work in late Dec. 2025 and is the first full-scale European Union election observation mission in Bangladesh since 2008.

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EU seeks free, fair, peaceful Bangladesh election: Chief observer