Dhaka, Jan. 6 -- The Election Commission (EC) has reached out to 26 countries and seven international agencies, inviting their observers to monitor the parliamentary polls and referendum.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has already sent letters to 83 individuals from these countries and organisations, according to Md Asadul Haque, assistant director of public relations at the EC.

The invitations include an offer of five days of official hospitality, covering travel expenses to and from Bangladesh.

The invited international organisations are SAARC, the Commonwealth, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, ANFREL, A-WEB, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute.

The international organisa...