UK minister for fair polls in Bangladesh

British Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad today reiterated the UK’s expectations of free, fair and inclusive upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.

“Number one, please participate and secondly let’s have a free, fair and transparent election, because those are foundations for ensuring sustainable democracy for the long term,” he said.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, minister of state at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and minister for the commonwealth and the United Nations, left Bangladesh today after a two day visit.

As the first UK Minister to visit the country following June’s election, Lord Ahmad called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam.

He reaffirmed UK’s commitment to deepening ties and co-operation with Bangladesh across a wide range of issues including trade, development, migration, and the shared challenge of combating terrorism and extremism. 

Lord Ahmad is a British businessman, appointed Minister of State for the Commonwealth and United Nations at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 13 June, 2017.