The United States and the United Kingdom, in their similar critical observations on Bangladesh's parliament election, said the polls lacked fairness and democratic standards.
Bangladesh's elections were not free and fair, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press statement in early hours Tuesday, after Sunday's election outcome came clear. The UK in a separate statement said the democratic standards were not maintained in the election.
Asked to comment on the reactions from these two powerful western powers, foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen Tuesday said the government does not bother about the observations of other countries.
"Rather we are concerned about the observations of our people, and they have exercised their voting rights freely and fairly," said the minister while talking to the media after a post-poll get- together held at the state guesthouse Sugandha.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has also expressed its views on the polls. The UN secretary-general has reiterated that it is essential that the Bangladesh government "foster an environment of democracy. "Reject all forms of violence, and obviously ensure that human rights are respected there," he said.
The US State Department spokesperson said that Washington was concerned by reports of vote irregularities and condemned violence centring the elections.
"The United States remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day," Matthew Miller said.
"The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated," he said about the polls, boycotted by main opposition BNP and its allies as their demand for election under a neutral interim administration went unheeded.
Miller said the United States supports the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.
The statement, however, noted that the Awami League won a majority of seats in the January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections.
"Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties," said Mr Miller.
He said the United States condemned violence that took place during election and in the months leading up to it.
The US encouraged the government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and to hold perpetrators accountable.
"We also urge all political parties to reject violence," said the spokesperson.
And the UK foreign office in a statement on Sunday's elections said, "Democratic elections depend on credible, open, and fair competition. Respect for human rights, the rule of law and due process are essential elements of the democratic process. These standards were not consistently met during the election period. We are concerned at the significant number of arrests of opposition party members before polling day."
The UK "condemned the acts of intimidation and violence that took place prior to and during the campaign period. Such conduct has no place in political life".
It also noted that not all political parties took part in the elections. "The Bangladeshi people did not therefore have the fullest range of voting options."
The British government mentions that the United Kingdom and Bangladesh "share a deep and historic friendship. Creating the conditions for a sustainable political settlement and vibrant civil society will enable long-term growth. We encourage all political parties to address their differences and find a common way forward in the interest of the people of Bangladesh. We will continue to support this process".
Meanwhile, in a statement issued Tuesday, the foreign ministry in Dhaka said, "The 12th Parliamentary Election marks the continuation of a democratic Bangladesh polity that remains firmly committed to contributing to regional and global peace and security and to eliminating terrorism, countering radicalisation and extremism, while championing international development objectives."
The statement was circulated among diplomats at the "meet and greet" programme held at the state guesthouse Sugandha.
US Ambassador in Bangladesh Peter Haas, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, Russia Ambassador Aleksandr Mantytsky, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis, and high commissioners and ambassadors from various other countries were present.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen spoke at the event. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was also present.
"With the initiation of the new government, Bangladesh would be geared at further enhancing cooperation with its neighbours to ensure shared economic prosperity in South Asia through promotion of greater regional security, integration and connectivity," the statement says.
"The 12th Parliamentary Election is important for maintaining a seamless democratic transition process in the country as per the Constitution."
It also says: "Alongside our economic strides, Bangladesh will also succeed in building a democratic society which our future generations will take pride in."
Dhaka assures that at the national level, the 12th parliamentary-election results will usher in a fresh opportunity to infuse further dynamism into the impressive socioeconomic performance sustained by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government during its past three tenures.
"Political stability under democratic rule has contributed a lot to these achievements," the statement of the foreign ministry reads.
In the meantime, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all parties to eschew all forms of violence and to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are fully respected in Bangladesh.
"This is essential for the consolidation of democracy and economic prosperity there. So that's what I can tell you on that," Associate Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Florencia Soto Nino said at a regular media briefing in New York on January 8.
The associate spokesperson said they had seen the situation that was unfolding in Bangladesh. "The Secretary-General continues to follow what's happening. He notes the opposition's decision to boycott the elections."
The UN chief has also noted all the allegations of the stifling of dissenting and critical voices and arrest of opposition leaders.
"He's obviously concerned about reports of incidents of violence prior to, and during the election," said the associate spokesperson.
He reiterated it is essential that the Bangladesh government foster an environment of democracy. "Reject all forms of violence, and obviously ensure that human rights are respected there."
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