Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other ministers have made strong pledges of free and fair elections during their meetings with US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya today.
"I've heard strong commitments in support of free and fair and peaceful elections from the prime minister and all other ministers with whom I've had the pleasure to meet today," Zeya told the media after a meeting with the foreign secretary at the state guest house Padma on Thursday noon.
"The United States, as part of our global human rights policy and a longtime partner of Bangladesh, wants to help make this possible," she said.
Terming Wednesday's rallies of the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP as 'good Harbinger', she said, "I would say, yesterday we witnessed large political rallies that were, thankfully, free of serious violence. And I think this is what we would like to see replicated."
Replying to a question regarding the polls-time government for which ruling party and oppositions are holding different positions, the US under secretary said the timetable of the elections is for Bangladesh to decide.
