Discussion about elections isn’t ‘interference’: US

Staff Reporter  :
In response to criticism from Russia, China, and Iran, the United States remains resolute in its dedication to advancing the cause of free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, saying that advocating for free and fair election is not an intervention in the internal affairs of a country.

“I don’t know why anyone would object to us calling for free and fair elections,” Miller stated while replying to the query of journalists in a press briefing at the State Department on Monday.
He further emphasised that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh has repeatedly expressed her commitment to upholding the principles of free and fair elections.
“I will note that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh has repeatedly stated her own commitment to free and fair elections. It’s a desire that we share as a friend and partner of Bangladesh for over 50 years,” he said.

In response to inquiries regarding foreign countries’ involvement in US elections, Miller stated, “We don’t consider it interference in internal affairs when other countries raise our elections process with us. We welcome those discussions as an opportunity to strengthen our democracy, and we don’t know why any other countries would object.”
Miller highlighted that the US does not endorse any specific political party, but instead advocates for an authentic democratic process.
“We do not support one political party over the other; we support a genuine democratic process,” he said.

In reply to another query about the Dhaka visit by the US Under Secretary Uzra Zeya and Assistant Secretary Donald Lu from July 11-14, he said that the purpose of their visit is to engage with senior government officials, civil society leaders, and various stakeholders to facilitate an environment conducive to holding free, fair, and inclusive elections.
“The officials will also discuss shared humanitarian concerns, including the Rohingya refugee crisis, labour issues, human rights, and combating human trafficking,” he said.
During their visit, the US officials will prioritise discussions on freedom of expression and association, human labor rights with a focus on vulnerable groups, and governance and democracy.
During the press briefing, Millar was also asked whether the visiting US officials led by Uzra Zya will engage with the ruling authority and the main opposition party BNP to make an atmosphere for holding a free, fair, and inclusive election in Bangladesh, he did not reply anything about it.
When the US has been advocating its unwavering commitment to free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, different countries like the Russian and China have termed it as an intervention in the internal affairs of the Bangladesh.

The Russian foreign ministry has recently criticised US and EU politicians for their involvement in Bangladesh’s electoral process, describing it as “neocolonialism” and “blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.”
On May 25, six US Republican congressmen wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to address human rights abuses and promote free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
Similarly, on June 12, six Members of the European Parliament sent a letter to EU High Representative Josep Borrell, requesting assistance in ensuring impartial general elections in Bangladesh.
Furthermore, on June 13, six Democratic congressmen addressed a letter to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, calling for actions to guarantee free and fair parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
In response to these actions, the US imposed visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members on May 24 if they were involved in undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.

Even the Foreign Minister Abdul Momen recently expressed his discontent with external interference in the country’s internal affairs.
“Let no one intervene in our internal matters. We will not accept it,” he said while speaking at DCAB Talk at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Saturday.