New York, Jan 6, 2026 — The United Nations will not send election observers to Bangladesh for its upcoming 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday.
Speaking at the UN’s regular press briefing, Dujarric clarified that the organization does not deploy election observation missions unless mandated by either the UN General Assembly or the Security Council.
“No. Without a mandate from the General Assembly or the Security Council, the United Nations does not send observers on its own initiative. Therefore, we are not doing that,” Dujarric said in response to a question on whether the UN would monitor Bangladesh’s election.
However, he noted that UN country offices often provide technical assistance during elections and said he would check whether such support was being offered in Bangladesh.
Dujarric emphasized that the United Nations does not engage in political analysis, stating that interpreting news developments is the responsibility of journalists. He reaffirmed the UN’s support for the political aspirations of the Bangladeshi people and for elections conducted through free expression of the popular will.
When asked about the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman to the country after 17 years, amid what has been described as Bangladesh’s democratic transition, Dujarric declined to comment, reiterating the UN’s non-analytical stance.
“I do not analyze news. We will continue to support, in every way possible, elections that reflect the political aspirations of the people of Bangladesh through free expression,” he said.
Responding to a separate question on the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and a three-time head of government, the UN spokesperson expressed condolences.
“We naturally extend our deepest sympathies to her family and to the people of Bangladesh,” Dujarric said.
