The UK views the Palestinian Authority (PA) as the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people. We are supportive of Hamas-Fatah reconciliation attempts, and of the PA returning to resume government functions in Gaza, helping to improve the dire humanitarian and economic situation and restore effective and accountable governance. Genuine and democratic national elections for all Palestinians are crucial to the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. To this end, we call on all Palestinian factions to seek common ground and to work together to pursue a positive path towards democracy for the full benefit of the Palestinian people.

The UK supports inclusive, one-person-one-vote (OPOV) elections in Somalia in 2021, in line with Somali commitments and mutual goals of building longer-term stability. We have consistently underlined the need for urgent, constructive political dialogue between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States to build consensus, and for accelerated progress on technical preparations to deliver timely OPOV elections.

The UK is deeply concerned by the situation in Gaza and we continue to encourage the reconciliation process in which the PA resumes control of Gaza and restores effective and accountable governance. Genuine and democratic national elections for all Palestinians, are crucial to the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian State. To this end, we call on all Palestinian factions to seek common ground and to work together to pursue a positive path towards democracy for the full benefit of the Palestinian people.

It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic and electoral processes. The Government took steps during the election to protect the safety and security of our democratic processes. The Government worked with a large number of organisations to do this, and would like to thank them for their continued support and work in this area.

As you would expect, the Government examines all aspects of the electoral process, and that work is ongoing. With regards to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia, the Prime Minister has cleared the report for publication, which is now a matter for the new Committee.

The UK is closely monitoring the political and security situation in Malawi ahead of fresh Presidential elections on 23 June. We have taken every opportunity to encourage all sides to respect the rule of law, follow due process under the constitution, and to respect the rulings of Malawi's courts. We have also urged de-escalation of inflammatory rhetoric and peaceful campaigning from all sides. I reiterated these messages in a phone call with Malawi's Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs on 15 May, as did the UK Chargé d'Affaires in his meeting with President Mutharika on 11 May.

The risks of the Covid-19 endemic have impacted the possibility for international organisations to observe the elections, however the UK's High Commission in Lilongwe is working closely with civil society organisations engaged in electoral observation ahead of polling day to encourage due diligence in the electoral process.

The UK Government notes the outcome of local elections in Benin on 17 May. Participation was low and only one opposition party took part, despite the provisional ruling of the African Court of Human and People's Rights that the Government of Benin should take steps to avoid the exclusion of opposition parties. These concerns stand in contrast to the fact that Benin was one of the first nations in West Africa to deliver free and fair elections, in the 1990s. Elections are the responsibility of the Government of Benin, all political parties and the Beninese people. The UK remains committed to peaceful, free and credible elections, in line with international law, the importance of maintaining political space and an inclusive democratic process.

The UK notes irregularities reported by observers during the elections in Burundi on 20 May and remains concerned by reports of violence against political party members during the electoral period. Election day itself was broadly peaceful, which we have welcomed. We have taken note of the provisional presidential and parliamentary results and await the outcome of legal challenge by the opposition. We continue to call on all parties to resolve electoral disputes through legal mechanisms and to ensure a peaceful post-electoral environment.

On 3 April, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued guidance to all missions in the United Kingdom setting out our expectation that countries intending to conduct Out of Country Voting should enable citizens to vote in a way compatible with current social distancing guidelines, for instance through postal voting or in-country representatives. The Polish parliament is currently considering draft legislation to allow for universal postal voting in the Polish presidential elections on 10 May. Senior FCO officials have received assurances from the Polish authorities that the proposed elections will be organised as a postal vote and that Polish citizens in the United Kingdom are not expected to vote in person. The Polish authorities have confirmed that consular and electoral commission staff organising the postal vote will respect social distancing guidelines at all times.

Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.

On 13 March, our High Commissioner to Georgetown released a third joint statement with Heads of Missions of the Embassy of the United States of America, the Canadian High Commission, and the Delegation of the European Union, expressing our deep concern over events following the elections in Guyana on 2 March. On 24 March the Foreign Secretary issued his second statement noting that transition of government should only take place in line with transparent and democratic principles that lead to credible results. He stated that any government sworn in on the basis of non-credible results will face strong international condemnation. We call upon the President to ensure that proper procedures are followed before embarking upon a transition of government and we stand ready, alongside the international community, to assist in ensuring a credible process that provides the democratic outcome that the Guyanese people deserve.

The UK is deeply concerned by events following the elections in Guyana on 2 March 2020, as set out in a statement by the Foreign Secretary on 10 March. We call upon the President to preserve the principle of free, fair and credible elections. Allegations of electoral fraud and premature declarations of victory prior to the completion of a credible process pose a grave threat to the democratic principles of Guyana.

We stand ready to offer assistance to ensure a credible election result is produced.

The elections scheduled for May this year represent an important moment for the people of Burundi. We remain very concerned that the elections will not take place in a fair and peaceful environment and we therefore call on the government and international community to minimise the risk of violence and work towards an inclusive electoral process where all parties are free to participate peacefully. In coordination with key partners, the UK has raised our concerns with the Government of Burundi, in the UN Security Council and in other multilateral bodies, and has urged the international community to ensure that the focus remains on reducing the risk of violence in Burundi.

The elections scheduled for May this year represent an important moment for the people of Burundi. We remain very concerned that the elections will not take place in a fair and peaceful environment and we therefore call on the government and international community to minimise the risk of violence and work towards an inclusive electoral process where all parties are free to participate peacefully. In coordination with key partners, the UK has raised our concerns with the Government of Burundi, in the UN Security Council and in other multilateral bodies, and has urged the international community to ensure that the focus remains on reducing the risk of violence in Burundi.

The elections scheduled for May this year represent an important moment for the people of Burundi. We remain very concerned that the elections will not take place in a fair and peaceful environment and we therefore call on the government and international community to minimise the risk of violence and work towards an inclusive electoral process where all parties are free to participate peacefully. In coordination with key partners, the UK has raised our concerns with the Government of Burundi, in the UN Security Council and in other multilateral bodies, and has urged the international community to ensure that the focus remains on reducing the risk of violence in Burundi.

We are concerned by reports of violence and human rights abuses in Central African Republic (CAR) including in the east of the country. The UK supports efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to the country, including as a major contributor (£42 million per year) to UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA. MINUSCA is mandated to support elections in December in addition to its vital protection of civilians. The UK also finances the EU Training Mission to build the capacity of CAR security forces, helping to improve security in the country. This includes support to the formation of mixed units from military and armed groups, as part of the 2019 peace agreement. More broadly, in 2019 the UK provided around £20 million in humanitarian and development assistance to support vulnerable people in CAR.

The UK is working closely with Ethiopian and international partners to support preparations for the August elections. Our Embassy is leading international donor coordination around the election in Addis Ababa, and the UK has contributed £15.5m to the UN's "Supporting Elections for Ethiopia's Democracy Strengthening" programme. In 2019, the British Government hosted the chair of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), and two NEBE Commissioners observed the UK General Election in December 2019, meeting with elections experts from the UK Electoral Commission, the British Government and local authorities.

We will continue to work closely with the Ethiopian authorities, our international partners, multilateral bodies and local stakeholders to promote free, fair and safe elections.