Edited by Deepali Verma
The US stated Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, where the ruling Awami League party secured a landslide victory amid Opposition’s boycott, were “not free or fair”.
“The United States is deeply concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on election day,” stated State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller.
“The United States along with other observers believes that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated,” read the statement.
The Bangladesh Election Commission on January 8 made an announcement that the unofficial results of 298 of the country’s 300 parliamentary seats. In total, the Awami League party bagged 223 seats, its ally Jatiya Party 11, independent candidates won 61 seats and the rest were scored by other parties.
The US additionally denounced the “violence that happened during the elections and in the months leading up to it,” said the statement. “We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to investigate, thoroughly and credibly, the reports of violence and to hold perpetrators accountable. We further encourage all the political parties to reject violence”.
The US has been vocal about its support for the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression, it added.
“Moving forward, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people connection and economic ties,” it said.
