Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support international partners facing instability following democratic elections.

Promoting democracy and defending democratic freedoms are fundamental to the UK's international policy. Our Arm's Length Body, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), provides electoral integrity support to countries around the world. WFD has led post-electoral reform work in Somaliland and Zambia and continues to develop practical electoral reform tools for partners to enhance electoral integrity. In Fragile and Conflict Affected States the UK's work targets the drivers of crises. Political transitions can be destabilising and, based on detailed analysis, where risks are high we draw on cross government capabilities to help reduce tension.