Feb 12 Polls to Set Benchmark for Future Votes: CA

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here on Thursday.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said the February 12 general elections would set a benchmark for future polls in Bangladesh, reaffirming the interim government’s commitment to a free, fair and transparent vote.

He made the remarks during a courtesy call by newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.

The meeting covered a wide range of issues, including the upcoming general elections, recently approved labour law reforms, a proposed Bangladesh–US tariff agreement, and the Rohingya crisis.

Professor Yunus said the government was fully prepared to ensure a credible election and noted that the European Union would deploy a large team of observers. He expressed hope that other development partners would also send observers.

“It will be a festive election. It will set the standard for good elections in the future,” he said.

Ambassador Christensen, who arrived in Bangladesh earlier this month, said he looked forward to working with whoever emerges victorious in the February polls. He praised the interim government’s reform initiatives and commended Professor Yunus’s leadership over the past 18 months.

The US envoy also welcomed the newly promulgated labour laws and acknowledged progress in ongoing trade talks, stressing that expanded agricultural trade remained a key focus of Dhaka–Washington discussions.

Professor Yunus thanked US President Donald Trump for lowering tariffs on Bangladeshi exports and expressed optimism that negotiations would lead to further reductions.

The Chief Adviser also highlighted Bangladesh’s foreign policy priorities, including plans to seek ASEAN membership and efforts to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as a platform for regional and economic cooperation.

He further lauded the United States for its continued humanitarian support for more than one million Rohingya refugees living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

The meeting also touched on recent US visa restrictions imposed on 75 countries, including Bangladesh.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed were present at the meeting.