Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland (Shirley Botchwey) arrives in Dhaka today for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening engagement with Bangladesh ahead of the country’s 2026 general election. During her November 20–24 trip, she will meet Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, political leaders, the Chief Election Commissioner, and foreign diplomats to discuss democracy, governance, and long-term prosperity. The visit follows a pre-election assessment mission by the Commonwealth last month and is viewed as a continuation of that process. Botchwey will also present the Commonwealth’s new strategic plan, emphasizing democracy as a core pillar, and explore areas where the organization can provide effective support. In a statement before her visit, she highlighted Bangladesh’s longstanding partnership with the Commonwealth since independence and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting a peaceful, inclusive, and participatory electoral environment. The mission underscores the Commonwealth’s focus on stability and democratic development in Bangladesh.