‘Not free or fair’: US raises concerns amid reports of Bangladesh election irregularities

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has returned to power for the fourth time in a row, with her party winning almost 75% of seats in Sunday’s general election.

Washington: The US State Department said last weekend’s elections in Bangladesh were not free and fair and Washington was concerned about reports of voting irregularities. She also expressed concern about the arrests of thousands of members of the political opposition. “The US remains concerned about the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and reports of election day irregularities. 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. The US condemns the violence that took place during the elections and in the months before. We encourage the government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and hold perpetrators accountable. We also urge all political parties to reject violence,” the US State Department said in a statement.

The country continued to support the people of Bangladesh and their pursuit of democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. “The United States notes that the Awami League Party won a majority of seats in the January 7, 2024 legislative elections,” the statement said.