Akufo-Addo Begins Role as Chair of Commonwealth Observer Group in Bangladesh

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially commenced his role as Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election and nationwide referendum.

The former Ghanaian leader announced his arrival in Dhaka in a Facebook post on the night of Sunday, February 8, 2026, confirming that he had assumed responsibility for leading the observer mission ahead of the polls scheduled for February 12, 2026.

According to Akufo-Addo, the Commonwealth Observer Group will closely monitor pre-election preparations for the 2026 Bangladesh Parliamentary Election and Referendum. He noted that the team has already begun engaging key stakeholders as part of its mandate.

“Arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group to observe pre-poll arrangements ahead of the country's Parliamentary Election and Referendum on February 12,” he wrote.

He added that the observer group has held meetings with representatives of the media, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, political parties, and other relevant stakeholders involved in the electoral process.

The Commonwealth Observer Group is expected to remain in the country through the voting period and provide an independent assessment of the conduct of the elections in line with Commonwealth democratic principles.