Chief Observer of the EU-EOM Ivars Ijabs today handed over a copy of the final report on Bangladesh's 2026 parliamentary elections to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Foreign Ministry. Photo: MoFA

DHAKA, April 28, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Observer of the European Union Election 
Observation Mission (EU-EOM) Ivars Ijabs today formally handed over a copy of 
the final report on Bangladesh's 2026 parliamentary elections to the 
government.

He handed over the report to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed 
Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said a foreign ministry's press 
release here. 

During the meeting, the state minister appreciated the European Union's 
continued engagement in supporting Bangladesh's democratic journey, including 
the deployment of the Election Observation Mission.

She also highlighted the importance of continued cooperation with 
international partners to further strengthen democratic institutions and 
electoral processes.

The EU mission said Ijabs is scheduled to unveil the final report formally at 
a press conference on Tuesday.

The report contains 19 recommendations aimed at improving future elections in 
Bangladesh.

The EU-EOM has been stationed in Bangladesh since the end of 2025. 

On election day, February 12, the mission deployed 223 international 
observers from all EU member states alongside Canada, Norway and Switzerland 
across all 64 administrative districts.

Earlier, the mission presented its preliminary statement on the parliamentary 
elections on February 14.

The 2026 parliamentary polls were described by the mission as "credible and 
competently managed, marking a pivotal step" towards restoring democratic 
governance and the rule of law.

Earlier, Ijabs said the contest was genuinely competitive, with fundamental 
freedoms broadly respected, while the Bangladesh Election Commission worked 
independently and transparently, maintaining stakeholders' confidence.