Former President Nana Akufo-Addo to Lead Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh Elections and Referendum

His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President of the Republic of Ghana, has been appointed to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) for Bangladesh’s 13th Parliamentary Elections and the concurrent referendum on the July Charter.

Both polls are scheduled for 12 February 2026. The July Charter is a post-uprising reform framework proposing significant political and constitutional changes in Bangladesh.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, announced the composition of the 14-member Observer Group in London, following an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission.

Announcing the deployment, the Secretary-General said:

“As we deploy our team to observe the elections and referendum being held concurrently in Bangladesh, we reaffirm the fundamental importance of credible, transparent and inclusive electoral processes in strengthening democratic governance and supporting long-term stability. Our presence in Bangladesh is guided not only by the responsibility to observe, but by a commitment to uphold the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people at this crucial moment in their democratic journey, acting independently and impartially to help ensure that their collective will is freely expressed.”

“I extend my sincere appreciation to these eminent Commonwealth citizens who have dedicated the beginning of their new year to preparing for this significant assignment in support of the people of Bangladesh.”

President Akufo-Addo will be joined by experts from across the Commonwealth, including professionals in politics, law, media, gender, and election administration. The Observer Group will be supported by a Secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head and Adviser, Electoral Support Section.

The mandate of the Commonwealth Observer Group is to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the elections and referendum are conducted in a credible, transparent, and inclusive manner. The Group will report on the conduct of the electoral process in line with the standards to which Bangladesh has committed itself, including its national laws.

Upon completion of its mission, the Observer Group will submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The report will subsequently be shared with the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Election Commission, political parties, all Commonwealth governments, and made publicly available.

Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group Chairperson: H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, Former President of Ghana

Observers 

• Mrs. Lebrechtta Nana Oye Hesse-Bayne, President, Caribbean Women in Leadership (CiWiL), Antigua and Barbuda
• Mr Neil Philip Ford, Communications specialist, Canada
• Ms Miliana Iga Ramatanivai, Coordinator, Pacific Youth Council, Fiji
• Datuk (Dr) Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi, Former Senator, Malaysia
• H.E. Jeffrey Salim Waheed, Former Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives
• Mr Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman, Electoral Commissioner, Mauritius
• Prof. David John Francis, Former Foreign Minister, Sierra Leone
• Ms Sangeetha Yogendran, Human Rights Lawyer, Singapore
• Prof. Mandla Mchunu, Former Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Commission, South Africa
• Dr Dinesha Samararatne, Professor, Department of Public & International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Prof. Winifred Mary Tarinyeba Kiryabwire, Associate Professor of Law, Uganda
• Ms Rosemary Ajayi, Social Media Expert, United Kingdom
• Mr Kryticous Patrick Nshindano, Former Chief Electoral Officer, Zambia

This appointment underscores President Akufo-Addo’s continued influence and leadership on the international stage, particularly in promoting democratic governance and electoral integrity across the Commonwealth.