International Republican Institute (IRI), a Washington-based organisation dedicated to advancing democracy and freedom globally, on Saturday said the new government in Bangladesh, to be formed within days, should swiftly implement the July Charter reforms and ensure institutions deliver for all Bangladeshis.
"Now that the election is over, the hard work of governing lies ahead and the enthusiasm of the Bangladeshi people needs to be translated into action," said David Dreier, the IRI delegation leader and former United States Congressman (R-CA).
Significant underrepresentation of women, along with ethnic and religious minorities, among candidates remains a serious concern, said the IRI.
The IRI deployed a delegation of international election observers to Dhaka from February 9 to 13, 2026, to assess the conduct of the February 12 elections.
The election marks an inflection point for a country navigating a complex democratic transition following the July 2024 uprising that ended over 15 years of Awami League rule, IRI said.
The delegation met a broad range of stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Election Commission, political parties, interim government officials, and civic organizations from across the Bangladeshi political spectrum, to assess the electoral environment and prospects for democratic renewal. "Security forces and the Election Commission performed admirably. After years of authoritarian rule, Election Day was mostly peaceful and incident-free. Given the historical context, that is a big step forward for Bangladesh," said Dreier.
While election administration was technically sound, the broader political environment remains fragile, IRI said. In the immediate post-election period, the delegation encourages political candidates to use legal channels to resolve disputes. The delegation will continue to monitor the post-election process and issue a final, comprehensive report that includes in-depth analysis and recommendations to improve future elections.
Pre-election Period: Compared to previous electoral cycles, the pre-election period was relatively peaceful, though clashes occurred during the campaign period across multiple districts, involving supporters of rival political parties. "UNB
