UK (Commonwealth Union)_ The Hon Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, has been appointed to chair a ten-person Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) tasked with observing the Bangladesh general elections scheduled for January 7, 2024. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, appointed this cross-functional team of experts in response to an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission.
Expressing the Commonwealth’s steadfast commitment to promoting peaceful, fair, and credible elections, Secretary-General Scotland emphasized the crucial role of impartial and independent election observers in providing valuable suggestions for enhancing electoral and democratic processes. The deployment of this expert team underscores the Commonwealth’s dedication to promoting electoral democracy across its 56 member countries and protecting the rights of the Bangladeshi people participating in these pivotal elections.
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The Secretary-General stated, “The Commonwealth’s commitment to fostering peaceful, fair, and credible elections is unwavering. Impartial and independent election observers provide valuable recommendations to improve and strengthen the elections and democratic processes. The team’s deployment demonstrates the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to supporting electoral democracy in our 56 member countries and safeguarding the rights of the people of Bangladesh as they take part in these pivotal elections.”
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2 thecommonwealth.org
Secretary-General Scotland extended gratitude to Prime Minister Golding, who will lead the CET, and to all prominent experts drawn from diverse backgrounds and countries across the Commonwealth for their participation in this significant assignment. The CET, supported by Commonwealth Secretariat staff, will comprehensively assess all aspects of the election process. Their observations will focus on determining whether the elections align with the democratic standards to which Bangladesh has committed itself.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in his role as Chairman of the CET, expressed honor and privilege to lead the team and serve the Commonwealth once again. He highlighted the team’s commitment to objectivity, transparency, and independence in carrying out their duties in Bangladesh. He stated, “It is my honour and privilege to have been asked to lead this team and to once again serve the Commonwealth. I am pleased to be collaborating with this expert team, which, as is customary, includes experts from diverse backgrounds, countries, and professions. In conducting our duties in Bangladesh, we pledge to remain objective, transparent, and independent.”
The entire Commonwealth Expert Team includes individuals with diverse expertise from various Commonwealth countries, including the Honourable Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister, Jamaica, as the head of the team; former Chairman of Elections Cameroon, Dr Samuel Azu’u Fonkam; Advocate and Special Public Prosecutor from Calcutta High Court, India, Mr Sabyasachi Banerjee; digital media specialist from Kenya, Ms Pauline Njoroge; former Deputy Foreign Minister of the Maldives, Mr Jeffrey Salim Waheed; former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria, Prof Attahiru Jega; media specialist from Papua New Guinea, Ms Hennah Joku; Professor at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Prof Dinesha Samararatne; gender and human rights advocate from Trinidad and Tobago, Ms Terry Dale Ince; and Partner at Howard Kennedy LLP, UK, Mr Mark Stephens.
During their stay in Bangladesh, the CET will engage with various stakeholders, including political parties, law enforcement, civil society groups, citizen observer and monitor groups, and media representatives. Starting on January 6, the team will disperse in small groups across the country to monitor electoral preparations in their respective zones. During the election, the team will closely monitor the opening, voting, closing, counting, and results management processes.
