US govt won't take sides in BD election: Envoy

United States (US) Ambassador in Dhaka Brent T. Christensen on Wednesday said the US government would not take any sides in the next parliamentary election, and the country is ready to work with the next political government here.

"The United States government does not take sides in Bangladesh's elections. We are prepared to work with any government who the Bangladeshi people will elect to represent them going forward," he added.

The newly-appointed US ambassador said these to journalists while briefing them after he held a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in the capital. The meeting began at around 11:50 am, where EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed was also present.

After the meeting, Brent Christensen said, "The CEC explained to me a great deal about all the policies, preparations, and procedures that the interim government has been implementing in preparation for the 12th national election."

"As I said during my confirmation hearing before the US Senate, I'm very excited about the upcoming election. I'm very much looking forward to seeing its outcome."

He also said he had met with the chief adviser last week when he was informed that the interim government expected a festive election day.

"I share that hope. I hope that it'll be a festive election day, where the Bangladeshi people can express themselves and have a very successful election."

Later, Akhtar Ahmed told the journalists that a three-member US delegation took part in the meeting to discuss different aspects of the election. "They showed major interest in postal ballot, and what we are doing with this."

The EC high official also said no formal election observers from the US would join the polls, but representatives of the US Embassy in Dhaka would monitor the electoral process and report to the US Senate.

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