Japan to give $4.8m grant to support BD election

Japan will provide a grant amounting to JPY 695 million equivalent to approximately US$4.8 million as electoral assistance to support free, fair and inclusive national elections in the country.

An exchange of notes was signed between the Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka, according to a press release of Japanese Embassy to Bangladesh on Wednesday.

It said under the agreement, support will be provided to strengthen the capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC), promote civic and voter registration, enhance participation of underrepresented groups including women, youth and marginalised groups, and improve the overall transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

Japanese Ambassador SAIDA Shinichi and Resident Representative of UNDP Stefan Liller signed the agreement in presence of Director General of the International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan ISHIIZUKI Hideo and Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh AMM Nasir Uddin.

This initiative is a part of Japan's broader cooperation with Bangladesh under the Strategic Partnership and its commitment to promoting peace, human security, and democratic development in the Indo-Pacific region.

smunima@yahoo.com