Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the integrity of elections in Bangladesh.

The United Kingdom notes the results of the Bangladesh Election, on 7 January 2024. Democratic elections depend on credible, open, and fair competition. Respect for human rights, rule of law and due process are essential elements of the democratic process. These standards were not consistently met during the election period. We are concerned at the significant number of arrests of opposition party members before polling day. The acts of intimidation and violence that took place prior to and during the campaign period are unacceptable. Not all political parties took part in the elections. The Bangladeshi people did not therefore have the fullest range of voting options. We encourage all political parties to address their differences and find a common way forward in the interests of the people of Bangladesh.