Former President Akufo-Addo to Lead Commonwealth Election Observer Mission in Bangladesh

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been appointed to lead a 14-member Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary elections and a nationwide referendum, both scheduled for February 12, 2026.

The announcement was made on January 21, 2026, in London by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, following a formal request from the Bangladesh Election Commission.

The Observer Group will monitor Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections, which will take place alongside a referendum on the July Charter — a post-uprising reform framework proposing significant political and constitutional changes.

Describing the deployment as timely and significant, Ms. Botchwey emphasized the importance of credible, transparent, and inclusive elections for democratic governance and long-term stability.

“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,” she said, adding that the mission will operate independently and impartially to ensure the free expression of the people’s will.

The Secretary-General also praised the Observer Group members for dedicating the start of the year to supporting Bangladesh’s democratic process.

Chairing the group, Mr. Akufo-Addo will be joined by election specialists and professionals from across the Commonwealth with expertise in politics, law, media, gender advocacy, and electoral administration. The mission will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head and Adviser at the Commonwealth’s Electoral Support Section.

The Observer Group’s mandate is to assess all aspects of the elections and referendum, ensuring they comply with national laws and democratic standards to which Bangladesh has committed.

A comprehensive report detailing findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Election Commission, political parties, member states, and the public.

The 14-member team includes 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.