The European Union has launched its Election Observation Mission in Bangladesh for the 2026 parliamentary polls following an invitation from the interim government and the Central Electoral Commission. Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs said the mission will objectively assess the electoral process without political involvement, focusing on transparency, fairness and institutional credibility. The EU will release a final report outlining strengths and areas for improvement to support democratic reforms. Ijabs said credible elections are vital for expanding EU–Bangladesh cooperation across trade, investment and governance. About 200 trained observers have been deployed nationwide to monitor the elections and evaluate how the process contributes to Bangladesh’s broader reform agenda.