A total of 330 international observers have been confirmed to monitor the upcoming 13th general election and simultaneous referendum on the July National Charter scheduled for February 12, more than double the number for controversial January 2024 polls.

Confirming the developments Chief Adviser’s Press Wing stated in a notification that six international organisations, including Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will deploy at least 63 observers. They will join delegations from European Union, 16 countries and 32 individuals representing various global bodies.

Shakir Mahmood Bandar, head of OIC Election Observation Unit, will lead the two-member OIC mission. Other deployments include 28 observers from Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), 25 from the Commonwealth Secretariat, seven from US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) and one from National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Additionally, 32 observers from organisations such as Voice for Justice, Democracy International, SNAS Africa, SAARC Human Rights Foundation and Polish Institute of International Affairs will monitor the polls in individual capacities.

Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Murshed, overseeing the observer coordination, said the number is expected to rise as several invited countries; including India, Nepal, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria and Romania, have yet to confirm their delegates.

The Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) is also expected to announce its observers soon.

Nearly 2,000 candidates, representing more than 50 political parties and independents, are contesting the 300 parliamentary seats in the upcoming polls.