EC seeks public feedback on 16 new election observation organizations

The Election Commission (EC) has invited public feedback and objections regarding 16 new organizations seeking registration as election observation bodies ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

A public notice issued on Saturday said the EC has completed preliminary verification of the applications and called for any claims, objections, or complaints against the listed organizations.

Ashadul Haque, Assistant Director of the EC’s Public Relations Department, said that written objections must be submitted to the Senior Secretary of the Election Commission within 15 working days of the notice’s publication — that is, by 5 p.m. on November 27.

Each objection must be filed in six copies, clearly mentioning the objector’s name, address, phone number, and supporting evidence, the EC said.

The notice added that the Commission will review and hear all objections before making a final decision on whether to approve or reject the organizations’ registration. “The decision of the Commission shall be final,” it stated.

The full notice and list of organizations are available on the Election Commission Secretariat’s website (www.ecs.gov.bd).

The 16 NGOs initially found eligible for registration are: Eso Jati Gari (EJAG), Netrokona Social Development Organization (NSDO), Development Organization of the Rural Poor (DORP), Help Center for Human Rights Foundation, Keraniganj Human Resources Development Society, Deepta Mahila Unnayan Sangstha (DMUS), Rural Economic Social Development Organization (RESDO), RUSTIC (Rural Unfortunates Safety Talisman Illumination Cottages), Bachte Shekha, People’s Association for Social Advancement (PASHA), International Asaf Legal Aid Foundation, Manab Unnayan Kendra (MAUK), Bangladesh Society for the Knowledge and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN), Jubo Academy, Shariatpur Development Society (SDS), and the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh.

Earlier, on Thursday, the EC granted final registration to 66 domestic observation organizations following a similar verification process.