Australia will give the Election Commission $ 2 million to the development of Bangladesh's election process ahead of the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad elections. The United Nations Development Program is providing financial support to the ballot projects taken by UNDP, UN Women and UNESCO.
The agreement was signed between the UNDP official and the Australian High Commission at the election building in Agargaon on Wednesday.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, four Election Commissioner, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission, Susan Riley, Australian High Commissioner, UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller, UNESCO Bangladesh Representative Dr. Navnita Sinha, the deputy representative of UN Women, was present.
During the signing of the agreement, the Chief Election Commissioner said, “The ballot project will help to strengthen our electoral system, restore the confidence of the people and organize a relied election for everyone.”
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Riley said, “When Bangladesh is moving towards a free, fair and democratic elections, we welcome the opportunity to work with Bangladesh. Australia has the support of the democratic elections in Bangladesh.
'The project will support transparency, greater participation and sustainable institutional reforms in partnership with the UN, UNDP, UNESCO and UN Women. We are delighted to play this small role in the history of Bangladesh. '
UNDP resident representative Stefan Lillar said the agreement is a reflection of the UN strong and ongoing commitment to support the democratic governance in Bangladesh. Australia's participation in the ballot project is first an important step in ensuring a fair, transparent and participatory electoral process.
“We are also discussing with other development partners,” Stefan Lillar said. We hope others will come forward to support the Election Commission of Bangladesh, so that the best elections can be organized in the history of Bangladesh. '
EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, “We have been seeking UNDP assistance since the formation of the EC. They are raising their hands of cooperation from the beginning. The ballot project will provide a total of $ 1.5 million assistance. '
With the help of UNDP, the UN Development Program has been spent implementing the US $ 9.5 ballot project in organizing free, fair and acceptable elections. The project will run until December 7, 2021.
