US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, has discussed the importance of free and fair elections with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Zeya met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before jointly hosting a high-level side event on the Rohingya crisis during the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

During the meeting, Zeya thanked Sheikh Hasina Hasina for the generosity of the Bangladeshi government in their humanitarian assistance to nearly one million Rohingya refugees, according to a media note from the US Embassy in Dhaka.

"The United States is committed to advancing democracy and free elections all over the world and, as a partner to Bangladesh, seeks to support Prime Minister Hasina's public calls for free and fair elections in Bangladesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner," the media note reads.

In an X post, Zeya wrote, "We discussed the importance of free and fair elections, US-Bangladesh partnership, and US appreciation for Bangladesh's continued generous hosting of 960,000 Rohingya refugees."

Earlier on 19 September, she met Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on the sidelines of UNGA 78 in New York.

"Appreciated meeting again to discuss the importance of free and fair elections, freedom of expression, and continued humanitarian support for Rohingya and communities that host them," US Under Secretary Uzra Zeya tweeted.

In May this year, the US announced a visa policy stating it would deny visas to individuals involved in election manipulation and intimidation.

Zeya visited Bangladesh in July this year and reiterated her country's desire for a "peaceful, free, and fair" electoral process in Bangladesh.