Former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been named to lead a 14-member Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary elections and a nationwide referendum, both slated for February 12, 2026.
The announcement was made in London on January 21, 2026, by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, following a formal request from the Bangladesh Election Commission.
The mission will oversee Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections, which coincide with a referendum on the July Charter, a reform framework emerging from a post-uprising process and proposing significant political and constitutional changes.
Ms Botchwey described the deployment as a critical moment for Bangladesh’s democratic development, stressing that credible, transparent and inclusive elections are essential for democratic governance and national stability.
She noted that the Commonwealth’s role is not limited to observation, but also reflects a broader commitment to democratic principles.
“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,” she said, emphasising that the mission would operate independently and impartially to help safeguard the free expression of the people’s will.
She further expressed appreciation to members of the Observer Group for their dedication, thanking them for devoting the beginning of the year to supporting democratic processes in Bangladesh.
Akufo-Addo will chair a diverse team of election specialists drawn from across the Commonwealth, bringing expertise in politics, law, media, gender advocacy and electoral administration.
The Group will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head and Adviser at the Commonwealth’s Electoral Support Section.
The Observer Group is mandated to assess all aspects of both the electoral and referendum processes and to evaluate whether they comply with Bangladesh’s national laws and the democratic standards and principles to which the country has committed.
At the conclusion of the mission, a detailed report containing findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and shared with key stakeholders, including the Government of Bangladesh, the Election Commission, political parties, Commonwealth member states and the public.
The Group includes distinguished figures such as former ministers, electoral commissioners, legal experts, civil society leaders and media professionals from Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Zambia.
