Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Bangladesh

In response to a request from the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh, the Secretary-General has established a High-Level Panel for the forthcoming parliamentary elections slated for December. The Panel is tasked with assessing the preparations and conduct of the elections through visits to Bangladesh before and during the elections. The Panel will be headed by Mr. Francesc Vendrell, former Special Representative in Afghanistan of the European Union and previously Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan. Its other members are Mr. Bhojraj Pokharel, Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal, and Ms. Aracelly Santana, former Deputy Director of the UN's Electoral Assistance Division and most recently Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Nepal.

The Panel will report to the Secretary-General with its key findings and recommendations. It will undertake its first visit from 23-29 November, and will return for about a week at the time of the elections.