NIGERIA: Bangladesh Election Chief Praises INEC Delegation For Role In Landmark Polls

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria for its participation and support during the country’s recent general elections, describing the engagement as crucial for peer learning and strengthening electoral processes among emerging democracies.

Speaking on the sidelines of a post-election dinner in Dhaka, Nasir Uddin thanked the Nigerian delegation for joining the observation efforts.

He emphasised that exchanging experiences with Africa’s largest democracy would enhance electoral management practices across the Global South and foster greater cooperation between institutions in developing nations.

Representing INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Commissioner Prof. Sunday Ajah, SAN, congratulated Bangladesh on the peaceful and successful conduct of the dual elections.

He noted that nearly 60 per cent of the 128 million registered voters turned out to cast ballots in the simultaneous parliamentary and referendum polls.

Prof. Ajah was accompanied by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Plateau State, Mallam Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq, and the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.

Official results announced by the Bangladesh Election Commission on Saturday, showed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, securing a decisive victory with 212 seats in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament).

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-Party Alliance emerged as the main opposition with 77 seats, while the newly formed National Citizen Party won six seats.

In a parallel referendum, voters overwhelmingly approved the ‘July National Charter’ reforms, with 48.2 million “Yes” votes against 22.1 million “No” votes.

The outcome is seen as a significant constitutional milestone for Bangladesh, paving the way for far-reaching institutional and governance changes.

The INEC delegation’s involvement underscores growing South-South electoral collaboration and Nigeria’s rising profile as a reference point for credible election management

in the developing world.