US official reaffirms support for ‘peaceful, free and fair’ elections in Bangladesh

Dhaka, July 13: Senior US official Uzra Zeya on Thursday reiterated Washington’s support for a “peaceful, free and fair” elections process in Bangladesh set for early January 2024, stressing that the country’s prosperous future depends on strong democratic institutions.
Zeya, the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights and Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues, is visiting the country on the second leg of her two-nation tour.
Before Bangladesh, she visited India.
“I’ve heard a strong commitment from the (Bangladesh’s) honourable Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) and all of the government ministers with whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet today in support of free and fair and peaceful elections,” the Indian-American official told a media briefing.
She said the US was willing to do “our part as a longtime partner of Bangladesh to help make this possible”.
Her comments came as thousands of supporters of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Wednesday staged a huge protest in Dhaka demanding Prime Minister Hasina’s resignation ahead of elections predicting the polls to be manipulated if she remained in power. Coinciding with the Opposition protest the ruling Awami League held a mammoth public meeting where the party leaders said the polls must be held under the incumbent government led by Hasina in line with Bangladesh’s Constitution.
“We witnessed large political rallies; thankfully, free of serious violence, and I think this is a good harbinger that we would like to see replicated,” Zeya said.
Asked if the US suggests a dialogue among the political parties in Bangladesh regarding the election issues, Zeya said, Washington doesn’t have any “direct involvement” in this but during talks with Bangladeshi leaders they discussed the need for free and fair elections.
She said Washington wanted as well to see the journalists’ ability to report without fear of retaliation or intimidation, the vital role that civil society plays in democracies advancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression and association.
“A prosperous future (of Bangladesh) depends on strong democratic institutions, and the broad participation of Bangladeshis in elections and the governance of their country,” she observed.
According to a spokesman at the Prime Minister’s Office, Hasina during her talks with Zeya reiterated her commitment to holding a free, fair and neutral election in the country. (PTI)