David Miliband

Good News: Elections in Bangladesh

On 29th December, Bangladesh contested a peaceful general election. 87% of eligible voters turned out. Observers called the election free and fair, and all involved should be proud of the way it was conducted.
 
This is an impressive achievement. The picture had not always been so rosy. Planned polls in January 2007 were stopped by violence and public disorder. A state of emergency was declared and a caretaker government established.
 
But much remains to be done. The new government led by Sheikh Hasina will need to build on reforms to deliver what we all want to see - a strong and confident democracy in the world's eighth most populous nation. I echo Lord Malloch Brown's thoughts on this , as written for the Daily Star in Bangladesh in the run-up to the elections.
 
The UK is trying to help Bangladesh move forward and tackle its many challenges, particularly climate change, poverty, and terrorism. Our second largest bilateral development programme, through DFID, is with Bangladesh, and we have historic ties - some 500,000 British citizens are of Bangladeshi descent.
 
We will continue to work closely with our Bangladeshi friends. But we should also pause to acknowledge this historic moment, and the opportunity it offers Bangladesh.

Posted at 12:36 07 January 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]