US State Department refuses to speculate about Bangladesh polls outcome

The US State Department has refused to speculate about the outcome of the upcoming general election in Bangladesh on January 7.

Instead, spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated Washington’s position to see a free, fair and peaceful election in Bangladesh while replying to a question during a regular media briefing on Monday.

“I’m not going to speculate on the outcome of the elections. I will say what we have said a number of times before, which is we will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people to ensure free and fair elections that are conducted in a peaceful manner,” he said.

Earlier, the Bangladesh foreign ministry in a statement said a fraction of the BNP, instead of participating in the polls, was resorting to burning private and public properties, enforcing blockades, and hartals, and boycotting the upcoming election. 

Many of its leaders were participating in the elections, the foreign ministry said in a Facebook post, giving details of nomination submissions.