Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in response to the Answer of 14 May 2018 to Question 141018 on Bangladesh: Politics and Government, what representations his Department has made to the Government of Bangladesh oh ensuring protections are put in place for voter safety during the upcoming election to encourage participation.

The Election Commission in Bangladesh has an essential role in ensuring the proper conduct of the next general election including provision for voter safety. The UK has consistently called on the Government of Bangladesh and opposition parties to ensure that the Election Commission can carry out its important work free from political interference, and to ensure a non-violent election. We will continue to engage on the need for robust democratic mechanisms and the proper application of election law during the next general election.