Akufo-Addo leads Commonwealth team to Bangladesh to monitor referendum

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo is leading a Commonwealth Observer Group in Bangladesh to assess preparations ahead of the country’s parliamentary election and referendum.

The Commonwealth said the observer mission has begun monitoring pre-poll activities, reaffirming its support for the people of Bangladesh during what it described as an important democratic moment.

Nana Akufo-Addo said he was honoured to be appointed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey to head the observer team, noting the organisation’s long-standing commitment to democratic governance.

“Democracy remains one of the most important pillars of the Commonwealth,” Nana Akufo-Addo said, stressing that it is rooted in the right of people to freely express their will and determine their political and social systems. He urged all stakeholders to uphold these values “for the benefit and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh.”

Since arriving in the country, members of the observer group have held engagements with a wide range of stakeholders, including media organisations, civil society groups, political parties, and representatives of youth and women’s organisations. The team is also scheduled to meet officials of the Bangladesh Electoral Commission as election day approaches.

In an arrival statement issued in Dhaka, Nana Akufo-Addo said the elections and referendum are being held at a significant time in Bangladesh’s democratic development.

He pointed to recent political contestation, public debate on governance, and ongoing calls for institutional reform as key issues shaping the current political climate.

He said citizens continue to express strong aspirations for transparent, inclusive and credible democratic processes, adding that the role of election observers is to support confidence in the process.

Nana Akufo-Addo also highlighted the importance of youth participation in the elections, noting that Bangladesh has a largely youthful population, with many citizens under the age of 35.

“Their engagement in the electoral process is vital to the country’s democratic future,” he said, adding that young voters in Bangladesh could inspire other young people across the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Observer Group is made up of Nana Akufo-Addo and 12 other eminent persons drawn from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific.

Members come from varied professional backgrounds, including politics, civil society, election management, diplomacy and law.

The group arrived in Bangladesh on February 4 and is expected to remain in the country until February 18, observing developments before, during and after the polls.