80pc parties, candidates have trust in EC: AFED

With the preparations for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election gathering pace across the country, more than 80 per cent political parties and candidates have voiced strong trust in the Election Commission (EC), according to a report.
The Alliance for Fair Election and Democracy () held talks with political party representatives and candidates, who described the Election Commission (EC) as independent and impartial. The platform said such confidence is crucial for the credibility of both the electoral process and its outcome.
Md. Harun-Or-Rashid, AFED member secretary, and chief executive of Light House, presented the findings of the report at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Monday.
AFED and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) jointly organised the programme.
AFED's findings were drawn from its election observation activities carried out between 28 December 2025 and 8 February 2026.
The report noted that the EC had announced only 80 women candidates and one hijra (transgender) candidate.
"The failure of political parties to nominate women as candidates for the election is appalling. This shows that Bangladesh still has a long way to go to ensure equal participation of women in political landscape," it said.
AFED observers were informed about 28 incidents of cash or in-kind vote buying and gift-giving, such as essential items, transport tokens or mobile recharge, which is strictly prohibited by law, the report said.
However, during campaign events, AFED directly observed 56 cases of food distribution and two cases of the handing out of money.
AFED observers reported 28 incidents of cash or in-kind vote buying and gift-giving, such as essential items, transport tokens, or mobile recharges, which are strictly prohibited by law, the report said.

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