DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Former Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on the July Charter, scheduled for February 12.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey announced the 14-member Observer Group in London following an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission, according to a message received here today. 

Announcing the deployment, the Secretary General said, "As we deploy our team to observe the elections and referendum being held concurrently in Bangladesh, we reaffirm the fundamental importance of credible, transparent and inclusive electoral processes in strengthening democratic governance and supporting 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, acting independently and impartially to help ensure that their collective will is freely expressed," Botchy added. 

Akufo-Addo will be joined by experts from across the Commonwealth, including professionals in politics, law, media, gender and election administration. 

The Observer Group will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head and Adviser, Electoral Support Section.

The mandate of the Commonwealth Observer Group is to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the elections and referendum are conducted in a credible, transparent and inclusive manner, in line with national laws and international commitments, said the commonwealth secretariat in a statement. 

After completing its mission, the Group will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary General. 

The report will be shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Election Commission, political parties, all Commonwealth governments and made publicly available.

The other members of the Commonwealth Observer Group are Lebrechtta Nana Oye Hesse-Bayne (Antigua and Barbuda), Neil Philip Ford (Canada), Miliana Iga Ramatanivai (Fiji), Datuk Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi (Malaysia), Jeffrey Salim Waheed (Maldives), Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman (Mauritius), Prof. David John Francis (Sierra Leone), Sangeetha Yogendran (Singapore), Prof Mandla Mchunu (South Africa), Dr Dinesha Samararatne (Sri Lanka), Prof Winifred Mary Tarinyeba Kiryabwire (Uganda), Rosemary Ajayi (United Kingdom)and Kryticous Patrick Nshindano (Zambia).