Bangladesh

Ms Keeble
21. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for elections in Bangladesh.

Bill Rammell
We welcome the announcement by the Chief Adviser, Fakhruddin Ahmed, that parliamentary elections will take place on 18 December 2008. It is vital for Bangladesh's future that all parties participate positively in the democratic process so that successful elections can be followed by a smooth transition of power to the elected government.