Former President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, will be chairing a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to assess pre-poll arrangements ahead of the country’s parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026.
The group has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of the media, civil society, youth and women’s organizations, political parties, and other key actors, in preparation for the electoral process.
Chair of the Observer Group, former president Akufo-Addo admonished stakeholders in the referendum to uphold the importance democracy as a principle which gives people the right to freely express their will and determine the systems of their society.
‘Democracy remains one of the most important pillars of the Commonwealth, enshrined in its Charter, a fundamental global value rooted in the principle that people have the right to freely express their will and determine their own political, economic, social, and cultural systems. I enjoin all stakeholders to uphold these important values for the benefit and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh.” he said
The Commonwealth Secretariat, one of the original signatories to the 2005 Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, emphasizes that Commonwealth Observer Groups operate independently, including from the Secretariat. Members are invited in their personal capacities as eminent Commonwealth citizens rather than representatives of their governments or political parties.
The groups adhere to the Commonwealth’s Revised Guidelines for the Conduct of Election Observation in Member Countries, adopted at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, ensuring that the observation process is credible, impartial, and transparent.
The Bangladesh referendum, scheduled alongside the general election on February 12, 2026, is a historic moment in the country’s electoral history. Voters will decide on the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025, which includes proposals for constitutional reforms. These reforms are aimed at strengthening state institutions, enhancing governance accountability, and promoting transparency in public administration. If approved, the newly elected parliament will act as a constituent assembly tasked with enacting the changes outlined in the referendum.
The referendum question asks: “Do you approve of the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025, and the following proposals for constitutional reform as recorded in the July National Charter?” Citizens’ votes will determine the future framework for Bangladesh’s democratic institutions, and the results are expected to shape governance and political competition in the country for years to come.
Observers have highlighted the significance of inclusiveness, transparency, and public confidence in the credibility of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum. Turnout and broad participation are being closely monitored to ensure that the process reflects the will of the people and upholds democratic standards. The dual electoral exercise will have lasting implications on the composition of the next parliament and the long-term structure of Bangladesh’s governance.
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