Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday said the US delegation did not come to Bangladesh to support any specific party or individual.
He made this remarks after a meeting with the US delegation at the conference room of the home ministry in the capital.
The home boss further said, the delegation told us that they had not come here to encourage any political party or individual. They only expect violence-free and peaceful elections in Bangladesh.
The visiting US team wants to see the country's next general elections free, fair and violence-free, he further said.
The delegation, led by US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya and comprised US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and US Ambassador in Bangladesh Peter Haas, made a courtesy call on the minister at the secretariat office of the home minister.
Asaduzzaman Kamal, also a veteran freedom fighter, said during the election, law and order forces will remain under the Election Commission (EC) as per the constitution and they will work under the direction by the EC.
Responding to a question about the content of the discussion, he also said, “The US delegation mentioned about the participatory elections, they want a free, fair, peaceful, and violence-free election.”
“We also informed them that our law enforcement forces are trained and ready to assist the Election Commission for holding a peaceful election,” the minister added.
Noting that several elections have already been held peacefully in the country, he said: “I hope that the national elections will also be held in a peaceful manner.”
Replying to another question, the minister said that a fruitful discussion was held between the Prime Minister and the visiting US delegation.
“The US delegation also witnessed a peaceful gathering of the two major political parties on Wednesday and they expressed their great satisfaction with the country's development as it is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he added.
Replying to the question about Rohingya repatriation, the home minister said that the delegation expressed their firmness to stand beside the government for smooth repatriation of the Rohingya refugees.
