UK Reaffirms Support for Free, Fair Elections in Bangladesh with Focus on Civic Education for Vulnerable Groups

The United Kingdom today reiterated its commitment to supporting free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh, scheduled for February 2026.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke shared these remarks with reporters at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Dhaka after meeting Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin this morning.

During the discussion, Cooke welcomed Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s earlier announcement about the national elections and outlined the UK’s ongoing support.

“I had a productive meeting with the Election Commission chair. The UK welcomes the Chief Adviser’s announcement regarding national elections in Bangladesh. We had a constructive discussion, and I reaffirmed the UK’s support for free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections next year,” she said.

Cooke praised the efforts of the EC, the interim government, and international partners, highlighting UK-backed initiatives like national civic education programs for vulnerable groups and training for polling staff.

“Our agenda today was to discuss the UK’s support for the Election Commission, particularly in civic education and polling staff training,” she added.

When questioned about the inclusivity of the upcoming election, Cooke stated, “I won’t elaborate further. As I said, the UK is committed to supporting free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh next year.”

The UK’s support aligns with international efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s electoral process following the July 2024 uprising, emphasizing marginalized communities and electoral integrity.