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<p>Election observation by the Commonwealth would be a decision for the Commonwealth
in dialogue with the Government of Bangladesh. We welcomed the Commonwealth Secretary
General's visit to Bangladesh in August this year, and her call at that time for participatory
elections.</p><p>I am clear that the UK wants to see a free, fair and inclusive election
in Bangladesh and I have consistently encouraged the Government of Bangladesh and
opposition parties to engage in an effective dialogue to this end. During the Minister
for Asia and the Pacific’s visit to Bangladesh, 29 June - 1 July, he made clear concerns
regarding the prospects for the election to senior members of the Government of Bangladesh,
including State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam, and members of the opposition
Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of free,
fair and non-violent elections in Bangladesh with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when
they met on 24 September at the UN General Assembly in New York.</p>
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