US supports BD for free and fair polls: Envoy

Staff Reporter :

The United States has reiterated its position on Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for early next year, emphasising that it wants a free and fair vote conducted in an atmosphere of peace and security.

US Chargé d’Affaires in Dhaka, Tracey Ann Jacobson, said on Monday that Washington does not back any political party or candidate, but stands behind the interim government led by Prof Yunus and the Election Commission as they work to chart a path toward credible polls.

“We support the interim government led by Prof Yunus and the election commission in charting a pathway to hold a free and fair election early next year.

We hope the elections would be held in an atmosphere of peace and security. We expect there will be a successful democratic government that would represent the aspiration and dream of the Bangladeshi people,” she said.

The US envoy made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.

Jacobson led a three-member delegation from the US Embassy to the meeting. Two other delegation members are David Moo (Political Chief at the embassy) and Firoze Ahmed (Political Specialist).

Explaining their purpose of visit to the Election Commission, the US Envoy said, “We along with some of my colleagues are here to listen, learn and to understand. Since there are so many rumors and conspiracy theories out there I do want to be very clear what the US government’s position is.”

“The US Embassy and the US government do not support any particular political party. But we do meet political party to understand their platforms and goals,” she stressed.

“We do not support any particular politician but we do meet with politicians to understand their goals. We do not support any particular outcome. That is for the people of Bangladesh to decide and we wish you all the best in doing it,” she pointed out.