US not to speculate outcome of BD election: Spokesperson

Matthews Miller, US State Department spokesperson.

Dhaka, Dec 5 --The United States has reiterated its desire to see free and fair elections in Bangladesh, saying that it does not want to speculate the outcome of the upcoming general election. 

"I’m not going to speculate on the outcome of the elections," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters during a regular media briefing on December 4.

"I will say what we have said a number of times before," he added. 

Miller said the US 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.

He said the US also wants to see that elections are conducted in a peaceful manner.

The government has called the next national election on January 7, 2024.

BNP, the major opposition political party, along with 59 other parties are boycotting the election as, in their words their demand for polls under a non-party neutral government has been overlooked.

The schedule for the 12th national parliamentary election was announced by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on November 15, 2023. – UNB with GW News Desk