The United States has commented that the 12th Jatiya Sangsad(JS) election of Bangladesh was not free or fair. The Foreign Office of the country responded in a statement on Monday (January 8).
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that the United States supports the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The United States noted that the Awami League won the majority of seats in the January 7 parliamentary elections. The United States is concerned about the arrest of thousands of opposition political activists and reports of Election Day irregularities. The United States shares the view with other observers that the election was not free or fair, and we regret that not all parties participated in the election.
Looking ahead, the United States is committed to partnering with Bangladesh to support human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, deepen our people-to-people and economic ties to advance our shared goal of a free, open Indo-Pacific, Matthew Miller said.
The spokesperson said the United States condemns the violence during the election and in the months leading up to it. We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and hold perpetrators accountable. We call upon all political parties to refrain from violence.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan's Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haque Kakar, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Bhutan's fourth King Jigme Sigme Wangchuck congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her landslide victory in the election.
Besides, various ambassadors/high commissioners assigned to Bangladesh congratulated the Prime Minister on Monday (January 8). Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen, Russian Ambassador Alexander Mantitsky, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma and High Commissioners of Pakistan, Bhutan, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka congratulated the Bangabandhu’s daughter after meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban in the morning.
Voting for the 12th JS election was held on Sunday (January 7). Polling started at 8 am and continued till 4 pm. Elections across the country were fairly fair and peaceful except for a few scattered incidents. Elections were held in 299 seats. There were 1971 candidates from 28 political parties and independents. Votes were taken on ballot papers.