Staff Reporter:
The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday gave final approval to 66 local poll observers ahead of the February general elections.
The polls observers would serve for the next five years and would also oversee local elections as they have met the criteria under new guidelines, said an EC press release.
The EC also issued a public notification seeking complaints and demands regarding sixteen other aspirants within 15 working days.
Among the newly registered organisations are: Pathway, Pollisree, RISHDA-Bangladesh, Rashmi Human Development Organization (RHDO), Integrated Community Development Society (ICDS), Bagerganj Forum, Active Aid Welfare Organization, Sathi, Bakultoli Mohila Shangshad (BMS), Association of Muslim Welfare Agencies in Bangladesh (AMWAB), Adhikar, Democracywatch, Rupantar, Lighthouse, Usha (Organization for Social Advancement), and Samaj Unnayan Polli Sangstha (SDRS).
Before the 10 August deadline for application submission, 318 organisations had applied to operate as domestic poll observers. Thirteen more organisations applied after the deadline.
The EC long-listed 73 organisations as eligible, and issued public notification seeking complaints against these. Now, the EC has added 66 organisations to its final list.
Earlier, the commission cancelled the registrations of 96 organisations, enlisted as local poll observers during the January 2024 elections, and called for new applicants.
