EU observers note strong voter enthusiasm, peaceful polling, and active participation across Bangladesh nationwide today. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Ivars Ijabs today said the mission had witnessed “a lot of positive enthusiasm and participation” by voters till noon, expressing hope that the trend would continue throughout the day.

Briefing journalists after visiting Curzon Hall polling centre at Dhaka University, Ijabs said the EU mission is closely monitoring voting across the country through its observers deployed nationwide.

“We have seen a lot of positive enthusiasm and participation on behalf of Bangladeshi citizens, and let us all hope that it’s going to stay like that until the very end of the voting,” he said.

The EU EOM chief said the mission is maintaining online contact with its observers stationed across Bangladesh and receiving regular updates on the opening of polling stations, voter turnout and overall conduct of the election process.

“They are reporting on how the polling stations are being opened, how many people participate. And, of course, we are getting the reports from everywhere in the country where all our observers are,” he said.

Ijabs, who earlier in the morning visited Siddheswari Girls’ College polling centre in the capital, reiterated that the EU mission remains strictly neutral.

“We are absolutely neutral. We are not taking part in any political process. We are observing,” he said, adding that the mission would publish its preliminary findings on February 14.

He said the mission has deployed over 200 observers across Bangladesh, covering cities, towns and rural areas, to ensure a comprehensive and fact-based assessment of the election.

According to him, most polling stations observed so far opened on time, while the voting process was continuing peacefully.

Responding to queries from journalists, the chief observer said the mission receives various types of information as part of its observation work but would refrain from making comments during the ongoing voting process.

“As for our comments on the process, we will produce them later on, because otherwise, that would be involvement in the politics and the voting process,” he said.

Ijabs described the election as an important opportunity for citizens to exercise their democratic rights.

“I think that this is really a wonderful opportunity for Bangladeshi people, this time, to cast their vote in a really free participatory and competitive election,” he said.

The EU EOM is expected to release its preliminary report at 12pm on February 14, following completion of its assessment of polling, counting and tabulation processes.