IFES

This week, the IFES team in Dhaka met with Bangladesh Parliamentary Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Veer Bikram to discuss support for newly elected Members of Parliament as they begin the work of serving the people of Bangladesh.

Together with officials from the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat, discussions focused on strengthening parliamentary effectiveness - from improving verification and oversight processes, to increasing the participation of women MPs, to accelerating parliamentary activity at the start of the new term.

Bangladesh’s successful elections earlier this year drew global attention. But elections are only the beginning. The long-term strength of democracy depends on effective institutions, capable representatives, and public confidence that governance can deliver.