Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has been appointed to lead a 14-member Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections and nationwide referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. The group, announced by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, includes experts in politics, law, media, gender advocacy, and electoral administration from across the Commonwealth.
The Observer Group’s mandate is to assess whether the elections and referendum are conducted in line with Bangladesh’s laws and democratic commitments. They’ll provide an independent assessment, submitting a report with findings and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, which will be shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Election Commission, political parties, and the public.
Some notable members of the group include Lebrechtta Nana Oye Hesse-Bayne from Antigua and Barbuda, Neil Philip Ford from Canada, and Prof. Mandla Mchunu from South Africa. The mission will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews of the Commonwealth’s Electoral Support Section.
