Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 February 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 February 2008. It was answered by Shahid Malik (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Bangladesh: Elections

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the UK is providing to Bangladesh to assist the electoral process.

Answer: The UK is providing the following assistance to Bangladesh for the electoral process:"Preparation of the Electoral Roll with Photographs Programme—the UK is the lead donor providing £10 million to this $77 million multi-donor and government funded programme. It will generate an internationally acceptable photo voter roll, with photographs, to reduce room for fraud, and generate public confidence in the Election Commission (EC). The data collected is also being used for National ID Cards, which will provide most Bangladeshis with proof of identity for the first time.""National Election Programme—£2.2 million is being provided to NGOs to reduce electoral fraud through international and domestic monitoring; support the EC's registration process through voter motivation and awareness, with a focus on ensuring those groups usually excluded (religious and social minorities and the poor) are included on the list; improve the quality of campaigning to deliver more accountable representatives."

Secondary information