Violence-free elections fundamental to fair polls:US
Staff Reporter :
The United States has underscored that violence-free election is one of the key components of free and fair polls in Bangladesh, scheduled to be held on January 7.
The US government is reiterating their consistent stance on the importance of free and fair elections, emphasing that the election should be peaceful.
US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller came up with the remarks during a press briefing in the White House on Thursday.
“You have heard me say consistently from this podium that we want to see free and fair elections held in Bangladesh, and one of the components of a free and fair election is that that election be conducted without violence,” he said.
His reply came when a journalist asked that a wave of arson attacks on buses full of passengers and trucks, displacing rail tracks, petrol bombing train coaches during blockades, witnessed bus helpers burned alive with scorched injured to derail the election.
Does US consider such action undermine the prelude to free and fair election in Bangladesh?
Though the major political opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has boycotted the 12th parliamentary election, the government and the Election Commission have repeatedly said that the election would be free and fair even if BNP does not vie the poll.
The ruling party said that there are other scores of political parties which are contesting the poll, leaving aside the BNP.
However, the US government has never said that the election would not be free and fair if BNP does not contest the poll rather it has continuously stated that they do not support any political party.
They only said that they want to see a free, fair and peaceful election and it is the aspiration of the people of Bangladesh.
The US has been closely monitoring the situation, expressing the desire to see free and fair elections.
On several occasions, the US said that they have been closely observing the developments in Bangladesh, and it is their sincere hope that the upcoming elections will be conducted in a manner that upholds the principles of democracy.
They said that a truly fair election would be held so that the voters can freely participate without fear of violence or intimidation.
Though the US government said that they do not support any political party, the ruling Awami League has been stating that the US government is supporting the BNP and it is an interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and the violation of the diplomatic norms.
Apart from the US government, the United Nations and the European Union are continuously focusing on the electoral developments in Bangladesh to promote democratic values and advocate for violence-free elections as a cornerstone of a fair and fair electoral process.
