State Department Correspondent
The United States stands by its claim that the December 2018 election of Bangladesh was not fair.
Robert Palladino, Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, said that the December 2018 election was not free and it was not fair given widespread reports of irregularities, including ballot box stuffing and intimidation of opposition polling agents and voters.
The Spokesperson came up with the comment in reply to a question over Bangladesh election at briefing held at State Department in Washington on Tuesday.
After the US State Department released its human rights report, the ruling party Awami League downright rejected it claiming that it was biased.
Having said that, the spokesperson stated out clearly that the US wants to continue working with the ruling government and as well as with the opposition in issues of mutual interest.
Referring to its report of human rights in Bangladesh Robert Palladino said, “We released our Human Rights Report and we noted that the December 2018 election was not free and it was not fair given widespread reports of irregularities, including ballot box stuffing and intimidation of opposition polling agents and voters.”
In the briefing the Deputy Spokesperson congratulated Bangladeshi people on the occasion of National Independence Day.
Bangladeshi journalist M Mushfiqul Fazal asked, “The recently released Human Rights Report stated that Bangladesh election was not considered free and fair. And obviously, the opposition party rejected this election result. So I am wondering what steps are – is the U.S. going to take to restore democracy in Bangladesh and voting rights, as U.S. position is that election was not considered free and fair and credible?”
In reply Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said, “Well, Mushfiqul, I would just point out that, as you correctly note, we recently released our Human Rights Report and we noted that the December 2018 election was not free and it was not fair given widespread reports of irregularities, including ballot box stuffing and intimidation of opposition polling agents and voters.”
He mentioned, “That said, we have a – the United States and Bangladesh have a long history of cooperation and a vision for a tolerant, democratic Bangladesh that strengthens its democratic institutions, respects human rights, and seeks to improve its governing structures and institutions.”
“Bangladesh has an impressive economic development – impressive record of economic development – and respect for democracy, freedom of expression, human rights. These are not competing objectives and these would in fact reinforce economic growth. So United States looks forward to continuing to work with the ruling government as well as the opposition to continue to advance these interrelated goals,” the Spokesperson added.
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