City polls: US deplores political violence

The United States has reiterated its stand against violence surrounding the city corporation elections to Dhaka and Chittagong.

“We … condemn in the strongest terms use of violence for political objectives,” said Marie Harf, spokesperson to US Department of State in April 21 daily press briefing.

“And we’ve called on everyone involved in the municipal elections to uphold their responsibility to ensure the elections are free, fair, and nonviolent,” she said.

“We’ve also urged the security forces to permit free expression and association during the election campaign, to protect candidates against political violence, and to prosecute those who violate the law,” she added.

Harf was speaking in response to the question regarding attack on BNP chief Khaleda Zia and the reports of violence centering the city polls of April 28.

The BNP chairperson’s convoy was attacked twice, in Uttara and Karwan Bazar, by ruling party men while campaigning for the party blessed candidate for city polls.

The spokesperson said she was reiterating the United States’ previous stand against such incidents.