The Election Commission (EC) has invited applications for registration as local observer organizations. Eligible private organizations have been asked to apply to the EC's Senior Secretary by August 10.

This information was given in a press release signed by Md. Shariful Alam, Director (Public Relations) of the Election Commission Secretariat, on Sunday.

The notification said that applications have been invited from qualified non-governmental organizations interested in registering as local observer organizations in accordance with the Election Observation Policy-2025. The registered organizations will have the opportunity to observe various local government elections, including the national parliamentary elections, for a period of five years.

Interested organizations should fill out the prescribed form (EO-1) and submit the application to the Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat by 5 pm on August 10. The application form is available at the Election Commission's Public Relations Branch (Room No. 105) and the EC website (www.ecs.gov.bd).

The qualifications to apply as an observer organization are: - The applicant organization must be registered under any law of Bangladesh and must work towards establishing democracy, good governance and human rights. The organization's constitution must include a commitment to work to raise awareness among citizens about free and fair elections.

If the Chief Executive Officer or any member of the Board of Directors of the organization applying for registration is directly involved with any political party or is interested in running for election during the period of application for registration, then that organization will not be considered eligible for registration. In this regard, the applicant must submit a written affidavit with the application stating that none of the Chief Executive Officer or any member of the Board of Directors of the organization is associated with any political party.

If the name of an organization applying for registration as a local observer organization is exactly or closely similar to the name of a national, international or regional organization and if it causes confusion among the general public, that organization will be considered ineligible for registration. If the name is similar to an international or regional organization, a written no-objection letter from the concerned organization must be submitted with the application.

The application must be accompanied by the constitution of the organization and the list of the current board of trustees or directors or executive committee, which is approved by the registration authority. A certified copy of the registration certificate (by a first class gazetted officer), name and address of the registered office, list of activities approved by the registration authority, annual reports for the last two years and if there is a relationship with any domestic or international organization, a no-objection letter from the concerned organization must be submitted.