Dhaka, July 2 -- Japan has joined hands with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), pledging JPY 695 million (about USD 4.8 million) in grant aid to strengthen Bangladesh's efforts towards free, transparent and an inclusive national election.

A partnership agreement was signed between Japan and UNDP at the Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat in the capital on Wednesday.

Japanese Ambassador SAIDA Shinichi and UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller inked the agreement in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau of Japanese Foreign Ministry ISHIIZUKI Hideo.

Under this partnership, Japan will provide grant assistance of JPY 695 m...