US calls upon all parties in Bangladesh to practice democracy

The US Department of State has expressed hope that all parties in Bangladesh will follow democratic practices.

Acting Spokesperson of the US Department of State, Marie Harf, made this observation during a regular press briefing at Washington, DC on April 16.

“There could be no room here for violence or intimidation. That’s the message we’ve been sending to the Bangladeshis as they go forward here,” she added.

Responding to a query over updates of the upcoming election in Dhaka and Chittagong she said, “We welcome the announcement of city corporation polls. We have called on those who are administering them and participating in the elections to uphold their responsibility to ensure they are free, fair, and nonviolent.”

“We have encouraged the Government of Bangladesh and the elections commission to protect citizens’ rights to free expression and association during the campaign, again, to ensure free, fair election on polling day,” she added.

Asked about arrest of a councilor candidate and divided rule on bail of a BNP-blessed mayoral candidate in Dhaka South City Corporation, Mirza Abbas, she said, “I hadn’t seen those reports today. Let me check with our team and see if there’s more to say about this.”