Despite the debut of the Election Observer Consortium (EOC), comprising 32 national organisations for observing the 12th National Parliament election, Abdullah Al Noman, the organisation's president, admitted that he lacks experience observing the national polls. He also mentioned that he cast his first vote ever in the 2018 national elections. Zia Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Dhaka University, and senior journalist and columnist Syed Ishtiaq Reza serve as advisors for this new consortium.

The organisation debuted in a Monday afternoon press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity Auditorium. A few minutes after the press conference, the EOC president departed from the venue in a black car with blaring sirens.

At the outset of the program, Abdullah Al Noman, Chairman of the Election Observer Consortium, presented a written statement outlining the objectives and activities of the consortium. He mentioned that among the 96 organisations registered by the Election Commission, the Election Observer Consortium was established with 32 organisations. Noman further stated that they had submitted a list of 9,557 observers from these 32 approved organisations to the Election Commission to cover 300 parliamentary constituencies across 64 districts in Bangladesh.

He mentioned that the selected observers will be categorised into eight groups and undergo training to become efficient observers. The EOC will establish its dedicated monitoring cell, which has been formed to oversee and execute round-the-clock activities. This monitoring cell operates from the EOC's office to ensure effective implementation.

Abdullah Al Noman stated that 'our primary objective is to identify and highlight irregularities within the fair, accessible, and participatory election process through vigilant monitoring. Furthermore, our aim includes informing the Election Commission about detected errors to facilitate future corrections. This involves providing insights into the skills, abilities, and impartiality of election materials utilised in election management alongside information about the responsible individuals involved in the process.'

In response to the query regarding the acceptable percentage of votes for the election, he clarified that it isn't within our purview to determine the threshold for an acceptable percentage of votes. Our role solely involves observing the voting process. It's the journalists' responsibility to assess and report on how the voting transpired.

In response to further questions, he said, 'we want 100 percent voting in the national election on January 7.'

Recommendations from the EOC to the Election Commission:

1. Organise coordination meetings involving representatives from monitoring agencies, District Returning Officers, and relevant law enforcement entities.
2. Ensure timely issuance of observer cards to observers, preferably at least 5 days prior to the polling event.
3. Delegate authority to the registering body to accept ID cards from all designated observers.
4. Approve the provision of motorcycle stickers to aid in facilitating transportation for observers during their duties.

Here's the list of organisations associated with the EOC:

Activity for Reformation of Basic Needs- Urban, Disability Inquisition Activities (DIA), Azampur Shramjeevi Unnayan Sangstha (ASAS), Bibi Achia Foundation (BAF), Lutfur Rahman Bhuiyan (LRB), Youth Development Organisation, Shishu Pratibha Bikash Kendra (SPBK), Keraniganj Human Resources Development Society (KHRDS), SDAP Association for Integrated Socio-Economic Development for Under-Privileged People, Voluntary Organization for Social Development (VOSD), Samaj Unyanya Prashikhan Kendra (SPK), Development Partner (DP), Samahar- Multidisciplinary Research and Development Foundation, Social Development Organisation (SDO), Social Equality for Infective Organisation (SID), Palli Ekta Development Organisation (RUDO), SHIELD (Society for Human Movement Empowerment and Lasting Development), Eso Jati Gari (EJAG), Forum for Development Association (FFDA), Prakash Gana Kendra (PGK), Rural and Urban Development Organisation (RAUDO), Services for Equity and Economic Development (SID), Rural Advancement Committee for Bangladesh (RAC Bangladesh), Eco-Concern Association, Eso Bachate Sikhi (Ebas), Rural Vision (RV), People's Association for Social Advancement (PASA), Biyan Mani Society (BMS), Agragati Seva Sanstha (Asses), ARD (Association for Rural Development), Rajarhat Sabolombi Sangstha, Sobar Tare Amra Foundation (STAF).