Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what direct support her Department is providing to the government of Yemen on the formation and implementation of elections policy.

DFID is providing £7 million to support Yemen’s constitutional referendum and elections, in partnership with Yemen’s Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum, the United Nations Development Programme, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems. No DFID funding is being provided directly to Government of Yemen.

Our support will help to: develop a new biometric voter registry; equip polling stations; draft relevant legislation; deliver a public outreach and communications campaign; engage civil society, women, and political parties in the process and planning of the elections; and assess and manage security risks. In addition, the UK Ambassador to Yemen regularly discusses elections preparations with Government of Yemen.