The United States said Friday the state of emergency in Bangladesh has to be lifted to hold good elections and no deviation from the elections set for next December will be accepted.
"Election must be held to get back to a democratically-elected government next year. We could not certainly count other deviationor any other path," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher told a press conference here Friday.
Boucher, who arrived here on Thursday for a 2-day visit, said "We don't think good elections is possible under the emergency. Emergency has to be lifted. It needs open political activities, meetings, rallies, debates and open information to have a good election. We have been pushing to lift the emergency which is necessary to have credible elections."
Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed imposed the state of emergency in January last year to control violence between two major political parties ahead of the elections supposed to be held on Jan. 22 last.
The incumbent caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed promised to hold the stalled elections by December this year.
Boucher said the U.S. goal is to support democracy and the democratic election to ensure overall stability in Bangladesh, which is in the interest of the U.S. and the interests of the Bangladeshi people.
On the issue of terrorism, Boucher said Bangladesh has done well last year in its fight against terrorism and the efforts needto continue to have stability and economic progress.
He said an elected government could be a solid foundation to continue to fight against terrorism and improve the human rights situation in the country.
Boucher said there is possibility to disrupt the election process by extremist groups and Bangladesh needs to remain vigil against extremists and terrorists. He assured U.S. support to Bangladesh to enhance counter terrorism.
Source: Xinhua
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