February election: UN says won’t send observers to Bangladesh

The United Nations has said it will not deploy election observers to Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary polls, citing the absence of a mandate from its principal decision-making bodies.

Responding to questions during the UN’s daily press briefing in New York yesterday (5 January), UN secretary-general’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organisation no longer sends election observers unless authorised by either the UN General Assembly or the Security Council.

The UN had last sent volunteers to observe the electoral process in Bangladesh ahead of the eight parliamentary elections in 2001.

Asked whether the UN would send observers to Bangladesh’s national parliamentary election scheduled for 12 February, Dujarric replied, “No. We do not… the UN itself doesn’t send observers unless there is a mandate from the General Assembly or the Security Council. So that’s no longer something that we do.”

He added that the UN could consider other forms of engagement. 

“I can check for you whether the UN country office is offering any technical support, which is something that we often do in terms of the elections,” he said.

The spokesperson was also asked to comment on the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to the country after 17 years and how it might relate to Bangladesh’s democratic transition.

“I’m not an assessor of news. Journalists assess news,” Dujarric said. “So, we will support in any way we can elections and the free expression by the Bangladeshi people of their political vision for their country.”

In response to a question on the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Dujarric expressed condolences on behalf of the organisation.

“We obviously send condolences to her family and to the people of Bangladesh on her passing,” he said.

Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and served three terms in office.