Election were not fair : US, election were not held according to free and fair standards : UK

The United States believes that the twelfth national election in Bangladesh was not free and fair. At the same time, Washington commented that all parties didn't participated in the election. The United Kingdom believes that the election was not held according to free and fair standards.

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The United Kingdom is also expressed the opinion that people did not have enough options to vote because not all parties participated in the elections.

Washington and London on Monday (January 8) in their statement on the Bangladesh election, the US and UK expressed their opinion. 

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that the United States supports the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The United States noted that the Awami League won the majority of seats in the January 7 parliamentary elections. 

The United States is concerned about the arrest of thousands of opposition political activists and reports of election day irregularities. The United States shares the view with other observers that the election was not free or fair, and we regret that not all parties participated in the election.

Matthew Miller said the United States condemns the violence during the election and in the months leading up to it. We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and hold perpetrators accountable. We call on all political parties not to use violence.

Looking ahead, the United States is committed to partnering with Bangladesh to support human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, deepen our people-to-people and economic ties to advance our shared goal of a free, open Indo-Pacific, the spokesperson said.

A UK Foreign Office statement said democratic elections depend on acceptable, free and fair competition. Respect for human rights, rule of law and due process are essential components of the democratic process. 

These criteria were not followed properly during the election. Besides, as not all parties participated in the election, there was not enough alternative system for the people of Bangladesh to vote.

The statement expressed concern over the arrest of a significant number of opposition leaders ahead of the polls.

The United Kingdom condemns acts of violence and intimidation in the run-up to and campaigning for the election, the statement said. Such activities have no place in politics.

The statement also said that the United Kingdom and Bangladesh have historic and deep friendly relations. If a sustainable political consensus and favorable environment for civil society is created in Bangladesh, it will be possible to achieve the country's growth in the long term. In addition, the United Kingdom called on all political parties in Bangladesh to eliminate differences.

However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan's Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haque Kakar, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Bhutan's fourth King Jigme Sigme Wangchuck congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for winning the election.

Besides, many ambassadors/high commissioners assigned to Bangladesh congratulated the Prime Minister on Monday (January 8). Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen, Russian Ambassador Alexander Mantitsky, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma and ambassadors of Pakistan, Bhutan, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka congratulated Bangabandhukanya after meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban in the morning.

Voting for the 12th National Assembly election was held on Sunday (January 7). Polling started at 8 am and continued till 4 pm. With the exception of a few isolated incidents, elections held throughout the country were conducted fairly and peacefully.  Elections were held in 299 seats. 1971 candidates participated in the election, belonging to a total of 28 political parties and independent candidates. 

Elections were held in 299 constituencies. Out of this Awami League got 222 seats. Jatiya Party got 11 seats, independent candidates got 62 seats, other parties got 3 seats.