US hopeful of fair polls in Bangladesh

US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicaton Sunday expressed the hope that the next national election would be free, fair and participatory, and laid emphasis on creating conditions to make that happen, reports UNB.

"This democracy, this Bangladesh, has held free and fair elections in the past. People know what to do," she told a small group of reporters after her meeting at the Foreign Ministry.

The US Ambassador said Bangladeshi people do not need foreigners to mediate and it is up to the Bangladeshi people to participate and have a free and fair election.

"So, can that (fair polls) happen? Yes. Should it happen? Absolutely," Ambassador Bernicat said.

She said all the required conditions must be there in place for those who live in a democracy in order to have 'free, fair, credible and inclusive elections'.

"You live in democracy, I live in democracy. So, you need freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of assembly," Bernicat said.

Earlier, she had a meeting with Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and discussed various issue of mutual interest.