By Blessing Chinagorom
The United States has shared the view with other observers that the January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections in Bangladesh were not free or fair and regretted that not all parties participated.
In a statement released by the Home Office on Monday noted that the Awami League party won majority of seats while supported the people of Bangladesh, their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.
The United States remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day, condemned violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it.
“We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence, to hold perpetrators accountable. We also urge all political parties to reject violence”, the Statement 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.
Meanwhile, President Samia Suluhu on behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, extended her heartfelt congratulations.
To Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina Wazed, on being re-elected as the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, adding that she is looking forward to taking Tanzania – Bangladesh bilateral ties to greater heights.
It was reported that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won the re-election for a fifth term in the national election that were conducted on Sunday amidst the boycott by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former PM Khaleda Zia, who is currently in jail.
Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League’s victory make it fourth consecutive term in the 12th parliamentary election, marking the second lowest voter turnout since the reinstatement of democracy in 1991.
The landslide victory that the AL helped itself win in Sunday’s polls means Sheikh Hasina will further tighten her grip on power as she is poised to go in history as the longest serving prime minister in Bangladesh, according to report.