The United States of America has said that it is concerned by the manner in which the parliamentary elections were conducted in Bangladesh. The US Department of State condemned the violence that took place during the election and the arrests of thousands of political opposition members.

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, it stated.

The general elections in Bangladesh were held on 7th January 2024 despite the boycott called by a main opposition party, Bangladesh National Party. Only around 40 per cent of eligible voters participated in the democratic system and gave Sheikh Hasina and her party Awami League their fourth consecutive term.

Washington said that it supports the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression and urged Hasina’s government to investigate reports of violence and to hold the perpetrators accountable. It also appealed to all political parties to reject violence.

Further, the US affirmed its commitment 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.”