The United States has reiterated its desire to see free and fair elections in Bangladesh, saying that it does not want to speculate the outcome of the upcoming general election, reports UNB.
"I'm not going to speculate on the outcome of the elections," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters during a regular media briefing on December 4. "I will say what we have said a number of times before," he added.
Miller said the US will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society, and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people to ensure free and fair elections.
He said the US also wants to see that elections are conducted in a peaceful manner.
The next national election is scheduled to be held on January 7, 2024.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, a fraction of the BNP, which is the major opposition political party, has resorted to destructive actions such as burning private and public properties, initiating blockades and hartals, and boycotting the upcoming election. This is happening despite the participation of many of its own leaders in the election.
The Election Commission received a total of 2,711 nomination papers against 300 constituencies across the country.
The nomination papers were scrutinized on December 1-4, 2023, and candidatures can be withdrawn by December 17, 2023.
The schedule for the 12th national parliamentary election was announced by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on November 15, 2023.
Not going to speculate outcome of BD election, says US spokesperson
FE Team | Published: December 05, 2023 23:47:42
Not going to speculate outcome of BD election, says US spokesperson
Share if you like