Bangladesh's parliamentary elections 'were not free or fair': US

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US has said Sunday's parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, in which the ruling Awami League party secured a landslide victory amid an opposition boycott, "were not free or fair".

"The United States remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day," said State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller in a statement.

"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," said the statement.

The Bangladesh Election Commission on Monday announced the unofficial results of 298 of the country's 300 parliamentary seats. Of the total, the Awami League party won 223 seats, its ally Jatiya Party 11, independent candidates won 61 seats and the rest were bagged by other parties.

The US also condemned "violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it," said the statement. "We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and to hold perpetrators accountable. We also urge all political parties to reject violence".

The US supports the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression, it added.

"Looking ahead, the United States remains committed 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," it said.