United States wants fair elections in Bangladesh

The United States wants to see the next elections in Bangladesh free, fair and peaceful. At the same time, the country also said that the United States is happy to welcome the new visa policy announced by the US government to Bangladesh.

Ministry spokesman Matthew Miller said this at the regular press briefing of the US State Department on Thursday (May 25) local time. The details of the briefing are presented on the website of the US State Department.

First of all, I want to thank you on behalf of Bangladesh for giving a very clear and strong message to the people of Bangladesh, asked a journalist at the briefing. The reason I say ‘loud and clear’ is because the US Secretary of State himself tweeted before announcing visa bans against the accused and their family members if you obstruct the free and fair elections in Bangladesh from here on out, and Assistant Secretary of State Donald Luo after you made the announcement. spoke

So as you said, holding fair elections is everyone’s responsibility – government, opposition parties and everyone else has a responsibility here. We are expecting national elections in Bangladesh by the end of this year or possibly early next year and will you call on the opposition to participate in the upcoming elections?

In response, the ministry’s spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “I will not say anything about what a political party should or should not do inside Bangladesh.” What I will say is that the United States supports free, fair and peaceful elections (in Bangladesh). And this is why we announced the new visa policy yesterday on the issue of Bangladesh election.

He also said, “We are happy to welcome (from Bangladesh) the announcement that we made yesterday on behalf of the US government. We believe that democracy is the most permanent way to advance peace, prosperity and security.

“That is why we have made this announcement, and we look forward to working with the Government of Bangladesh to advance the relationship between the two countries,” said Matthew Miller.

Earlier, the United States announced a new visa policy for the sake of free, fair and peaceful national elections in Bangladesh. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced this last Wednesday.

Under this policy, the United States can impose visa restrictions on any Bangladeshi who is responsible for disrupting the country’s democratic election process, or who is found to have attempted to do so.

According to a statement from the US State Department, current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, law enforcement agencies, members of the judiciary and security agencies will also be covered.

Actions that would fall under the category of subverting the democratic election process were also mentioned in the US statement. These activities include – vote rigging, voter intimidation, use of violence to deprive people of the right to peaceful assembly and any action – aimed at preventing political parties, voters, civil society or the media from campaigning on them. .

The United States announced this new policy, called Section 212(a)(3)(c)(3c) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, to support free, fair and peaceful national elections in Bangladesh.

Announcing the new policy, Foreign Minister Blinken said on Wednesday that free and fair elections are everyone’s responsibility and he announced this policy to support all those who are working to advance democracy in Bangladesh.