The US and UK say Bangladesh's elections extending Hasina's rule were not credible
ABC News
The United States and the United Kingdom say the elections that extended Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's rule were not credible, free and fair
DHAKA, Bangladesh -- The United States and the United Kingdom said the elections that extended Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule were not credible, free and fair.
Both countries, which have trade and development ties with Bangladesh, also condemned political violence that preceded Sunday's election in which Hasina’s party won more than two-thirds of the parliamentary seats while turnout was low and the main opposition party boycotted.
“The United States remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day. The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated,” State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said from Washington.
He urged Bangladesh's government to credibly investigate reports of violence and hold those responsible accountable.
The U.K. said the democratic standards were not met consistently in the lead-up to the election.
