Former President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, has been appointed to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on the July Charter, both scheduled to take place on 12 February 2026.
The July Charter is a post-uprising reform framework proposing wide-ranging political and constitutional changes in Bangladesh.
The composition of the 14-member Observer Group was announced in London by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, following an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission.
Announcing the deployment, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to democratic governance and electoral integrity.
“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,” she said.
She added that the Observer Group’s presence in Bangladesh reflects not only its responsibility to observe but also its commitment to ensuring that the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people are freely and fairly expressed.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to these eminent Commonwealth citizens who have dedicated the beginning of their new year to preparing for this significant assignment in support of the people of Bangladesh,” the Secretary-General noted.
President Akufo-Addo will be joined by a diverse team of experts drawn from across the Commonwealth, including professionals in politics, law, media, gender advocacy, and election administration. The Group will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head and Adviser of the Commonwealth’s Electoral Support Section.
Mandate of the Observer Group
The Commonwealth Observer Group is mandated to independently assess whether the elections and referendum are conducted in a credible, transparent, and inclusive manner, in line with Bangladesh’s national laws and the democratic standards to which it has committed.
At the end of its mission, the Group will submit a detailed report containing its findings and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The report will then be shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Election Commission, political parties, all Commonwealth governments, and made publicly available.
Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group
Chairperson
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H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo – Former President of Ghana
Observers (in alphabetical order of nationality):
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Mrs. Lebrechtta Nana Oye Hesse-Bayne – President, Caribbean Women in Leadership (CiWiL), Antigua and Barbuda
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Mr. Neil Philip Ford – Communications Specialist, Canada
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Ms. Miliana Iga Ramatanivai – Coordinator, Pacific Youth Council, Fiji
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Datuk (Dr) Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi – Former Senator, Malaysia
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H.E. Jeffrey Salim Waheed – Former Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives
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Mr. Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman – Electoral Commissioner, Mauritius
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Prof. David John Francis – Former Foreign Minister, Sierra Leone
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Ms. Sangeetha Yogendran – Human Rights Lawyer, Singapore
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Prof. Mandla Mchunu – Former Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Commission, South Africa
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Dr. Dinesha Samararatne – Professor, Department of Public & International Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Prof. Winifred Mary Tarinyeba Kiryabwire – Associate Professor of Law, Uganda
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Ms. Rosemary Ajayi – Social Media Expert, United Kingdom
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Mr. Kryticous Patrick Nshindano – Former Chief Electoral Officer, Zambia
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