Japan has pledged JPY 695 million (approximately USD 4.8 million) in grant aid to support Bangladesh’s efforts in conducting free, transparent, and inclusive national elections.

The partnership agreement was signed on Wednesday between Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka. Japanese Ambassador SAIDA Shinichi and UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller signed the deal in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and Japanese Foreign Ministry official ISHIIZUKI Hideo.

The grant will be used to strengthen the institutional, technical, and operational capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission. It also aims to boost voter and civic education, promote participation by women, youth, and marginalised communities, and enhance transparency and integrity across the electoral process.

CEC Nasir Uddin welcomed the support, saying the initiative would help reinforce systems that uphold public trust and democratic values.

Ambassador SAIDA described Bangladesh as being at a pivotal point in its democratic journey. “Japan fully supports Bangladesh’s effort to carry out a peaceful and democratic political transition through free, fair, and inclusive elections,” he said.

UNDP’s Stefan Liller added that Japan’s support “reinforces our shared goal of helping Bangladesh hold peaceful and credible elections that truly reflect the will of its people.”