The United States chargé d’ affaires in Dhaka, Tracey Ann Jacobson, on Monday said that the US government did not support any political party, any individual politician, or any particular outcome in the upcoming elections.
‘We do meet with political parties to understand their platforms and goals, and with politicians to hear their perspectives. But the choice of leadership is for the people of Bangladesh to decide,’ said the diplomat.
The chargé d’ affaires made the remarks to reporters following a meeting with the chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
Jacobson said that she was there to listen, learn, and understand, adding that there were many rumours and conspiracy theories circulating about the country’s political transition.
‘I want to be very clear about the US government’s position. We support the interim government led by Professor Yunus and the Election Commission in charting a pathway to free and fair elections early next year,’ she said.
The US hopes, Jacobson said, that the elections would take place in an atmosphere of peace and security and would lead to a democratic government that represents the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
‘The US government does not support any political party. It does not support any individual politician. It also does not support any particular outcome,’ she said.
However, CEC Nasir told reporters that the envoy visited them to understand the election situation.
He said that the Election Commission had been preparing for the polls since assuming office and the preparations had intensified after receiving a letter from the Chief Adviser’s Office. ‘The commission is ready to conduct the elections and does not wish to take the blame for any shortcomings. We’ll be ready to hold the elections whenever the government decides,’ he said.
The chief election commissioner said that the US envoy had wanted to know if the creation of mobs would affect the election.
The CEC assured her that there would be no mob influence during the election, saying that if voting took place simultaneously in all 300 seats, those who would create mobs would remain in their respective areas.
Regarding the use of black money, he said that it would not be possible to completely stop the circulation of black money, but efforts would be made to reduce it.
