Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government will have a role in monitoring the forthcoming general election in Bangladesh.
Answered by Mark Field
The UK is supporting election monitoring in Bangladesh by funding short and long term domestic observers through a Department for International Development programme. We have not to date received any request from the Bangladesh Government to deploy our own election monitors. We shall continue to engage with the Government of Bangladesh, the Election Commission and political parties on the need for robust democratic mechanisms and the proper application of election law during the general election which we understand will take place at the end of 2018.
Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the imprisonment of the main opposition party leader in Bangladesh on free, fair, and transparent electoral processes in that country.
Answered by Mark Field
I remain concerned that the imprisonment of Khaleda Zia, the main opposition leader in Bangladesh, impedes an effective dialogue between the main parties and could increase the risk of violence around the election which as a consequence may not be fully participatory. The Foreign Secretary met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Ali during his visit to Bangladesh from 9 to 10 February. He stressed the importance of free and fair elections and affording political space to the opposition.
Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made on voter registration in rural areas in Bangladesh for the forthcoming general election in that country.
Answered by Mark Field
The FCO is keen to see accurate voter registration lists compiled and updated throughout Bangladesh in advance of the forthcoming general election, this is why we have called on the Government of Bangladesh and opposition parties to allow the Election Commission to carry out its important work independently and free of political interference.
Asked by: Anne Main (Conservative - St Albans)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Bangladesh Government at the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on ensuring free and fair elections in that country.
Answered by Mark Field
I met Foreign Minister Ali on 19 April in the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and during a 30 minute long meeting we discussed amongst other issues the importance of free, fair and participatory elections in Bangladesh.