Support to the parliamentary and Upazila elections in Bangladesh
The national parliamentary elections foreseen for early 2014 will be highly important for Bangladesh’s future development as a democratic state. Amidst uncertainties and high polarisation, like-minded international development partners have agreed on a package of accompanying measures to assure that the elections can be conducted and locally monitored in a professional manner. The suggested activities will also support other upcoming election processes. SDC proposes to associate itself to this program.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bangladesh |
Governance Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Elections
Decentralisation |
01.12.2013
- 30.06.2015 |
CHF 2'000'000
|
- The 10th parliamentary election and the subsequent Upazila election are administered soundly and transparently by a strengthened Bangladesh Election Commission.
- A strengthened coalition of civil society organizations contributes to democratic, transparent and credible elections (parliamentary and Upazila)
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- United Nations Development Programme
- 1.UNDP: coordination, technical assistance, quality assurance 2.The Asia Foundation: coordination, technical assistance, quality assurance
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Elections
Decentralisation and support to subnational government (incl. accountability)
Cross-cutting topics Human rights
The project takes account of gender equality as a cross-cutting theme.
The project takes account of democratisation, good governance and human rights as cross-cutting themes.
The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Type of support Official development assistance (ODA)
Type of collaboration Bilateral cooperation
Finance type Aid grant
Aid Type Basketpooled multi-donor fund
Tied/untied aid Untied aid
Project number 7F08970
| Background |
The parliamentary elections held in December 2008 ended a two years caretaker government and marked the return to elected governance. These elections were asserted to be the freest and fairest in the nation’s history. However, on the eve of the upcoming 10th parliamentary elections, hardening attitudes raise legitimate concerns over the solidity of the democracy. Elected governance at Upazila level (sub-district) was re-established in January 2009 after 18 years. Upazila Councils are expected to assume responsibility for setting local development planning and spending priorities as a middle tier of government that controls the largest funding flows from the center. |
| Objectives |
Fair elections contribute to improved local governance and strengthen citizen participation. |
| Target groups |
Voters of Bangladesh (national and community broadcasting), political parties and candidates and election administrators (700’000 for capacity building) |
| Medium-term outcomes |
|
| Results |
Results from previous phases: A high participation of voters in the national elections 2008 (over 86% of ~70 million voters) is the outcome of the adequate process management by BEC, based on a new electoral roll (with SDC support); women’s participation was higher than ever; marginalised people in remote areas were specially addressed and reached. The Election Working Group (EWG), (with SDC support) deployed over 146’000 domestic election observers. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Development cooperation |
| Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO United Nations Organization (UNO) |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 2'000'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 1'812'070 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 01.12.2013 - 30.06.2015 (Completed) |