EU EOM Deploys Dedicated Social Media Monitoring Unit for Bangladesh Polls

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Ivars Ijabs has said that the mission has a dedicated media and social media monitoring unit to assess the role of traditional and digital platforms in helping voters make informed, fact-based decisions. He noted that an initial assessment indicates local stakeholders are sincere in their efforts to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

He made the remarks at a press conference held on January 11 afternoon at the Renaissance Hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka. Ijabs said the EU EOM has now fully commenced its activities surrounding the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. As part of its mandate, the mission will engage with the election administration, political parties, the judiciary, civil society, and the media. It will also observe and analyze election preparations, the legal framework and its implementation, campaign conduct, and mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes. Additionally, the mission will assess the overall political environment, including opportunities for political and civic participation by women, youth, and other vulnerable groups.

Also present at the press conference were EU EOM Deputy Chief Inta Lase and Mission Press Officer Eberhard Laue. The mission chief said that a preliminary report would be released two days after the election, followed by a press conference in Dhaka. A comprehensive final report, including recommendations for future elections, will be published and submitted to the relevant authorities about two months later.

At the invitation of the Government of Bangladesh, the European Union has deployed the election observation mission to monitor the February 12 polls. This is the EU’s first full-fledged election observation mission in Bangladesh since 2008. The EU did not send observation missions to the three elections held under the Awami League government. The full-capacity mission will include around 200 observers from the EU’s 27 member states, as well as Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

Led by Latvian Member of the European Parliament Ivars Ijabs, the mission began work in late December 2025 and has been expanding in phases. So far, 56 long-term observers have arrived in Bangladesh and will be deployed across all 64 districts. The mission also has a core team of 11 analysts based in Dhaka. In addition, 90 short-term observers will be deployed shortly before election day, alongside observers from EU member states and partner-country diplomatic missions.

Responding to a question about potential risks of holding a parliamentary election and a referendum on the same day, Ijabs said such dual voting is generally uncommon, though it does occur in some cases.

“We will not observe the referendum as it falls outside our mandate. However, since the two processes are interconnected, we will pay attention to whether citizens are sufficiently informed to make their decisions. Given that referendums are an issue of interest in many countries, we will give it special attention,” he said.

It may be noted that the EU Election Observation Mission arrived in Dhaka on January 8.

DBTech/MUM/EK/OR