The US State Department has announced that it will take steps to impose visa restrictions on people involved in undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said this in a press release published on the US State Department website on Friday (September 22).
In a statement, Matthew Miller said, from today (Friday)US is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshis responsible for or involved in undermining Bangladesh's democratic electoral process. These persons may be members of law enforcement agencies, ruling parties and opposition parties activists. The United States is committed to holding peaceful, free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
Individuals involved in subverting the democratic election process, as well as their family members, may not be considered for entry into the United States. In addition, individuals found to be responsible or involved in undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh may be considered ineligible for US visas under this visa policy in the future. This includes current and former government officials of Bangladesh, members of opposition and ruling political parties and members of the law enforcement, judiciary and security forces.
Today's steps are to support Bangladesh's goal of holding peaceful, free and fair national elections. Apart from this, these steps are to support those who want to advance democracy worldwide.
Earlier, on May 24 this year, the US Secretary of State announced a new visa policy for Bangladesh. He clarified the issue of continuous monitoring of Bangladesh in free, fair and peaceful elections.