Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is heading a Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s Parliamentary Election and Referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026.
The former President is leading a high-level delegation mandated to monitor the electoral process, focusing on pre-election preparations, stakeholder engagements, and the overall readiness of the country ahead of voting day.
In a Facebook post, Akufo-Addo confirmed his arrival in Dhaka on Sunday, February 8, stating that the Observer Group had already begun preliminary consultations with key stakeholders.
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According to him, the team has commenced a series of meetings to gain deeper insight into Bangladesh’s political and electoral environment ahead of the polls.
“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.”
“The group has met with representatives of the media, civil society, youth and women’s groups, political parties, and other stakeholders,” he said.
These engagements form a crucial component of the Commonwealth’s election observation process, enabling the team to interact with key actors and assess the credibility, transparency, and inclusiveness of the electoral process.
Akufo-Addo’s role underscores his continued involvement in international diplomacy and democratic governance after completing his tenure as President of Ghana.
During his presidency, he played a prominent role in regional and global affairs, particularly in promoting democracy, constitutional rule, and multilateral cooperation through bodies such as the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Observer Group is expected to remain in Bangladesh through election day and the immediate post-election period to observe voting, vote counting, and results collation.
Akufo-Addo officially handed over power on January 7, 2025, after serving two terms as President of Ghana. This assignment marks one of his first major international engagements since leaving office.