Bangladesh elections ‘were not free and fair’: US

The United States said that the elections in Bangladesh ‘were not free and fair’.

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said this in a statement issued on Monday (January 8).

According to the statement, the United States supports the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.  The United States notes the Awami League party won a majority of seats in the January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections.

Matthew Miller said, “The United States remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day.  The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated.”

“The United States condemns violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it.  We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and to hold perpetrators accountable.  We also urge all political parties to reject violence,” the statement read.

“Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties,” the statement also read.