Electoral reform is an ongoing process in Bangladesh, and one that UNDP has been involved with for some time, including the unprecedented registration of 81 million voters from all walks of Bangladeshi life in 2008. Following the resounding success of this registration drive, which created a gold-standard, internationally renowned photo voter list, the Bangladesh Election Commission, with the support of UNDP and other international organizations, is working to make the process sustainable and permanent.

Indeed, updating of the rolls began just six months after last Decembers parliamentary election. UNDP is working with the Commission to introduce new technologies, develop the skills of electoral workers and to ensure best practices in the registration process across the country. The list itself was designed to be as simple to maintain as possible, relying on readily available technology like laptops, webcams and fingerprint scanners.
UNDP is also working with the Netherlands and the Election Commission to establish about 500 registration centres on the local level across the country. The centres will help the Commissions efforts to decentralize its work, improving the publics access to and interaction with local election offices. (less info)