WASHINGTON: Bangladeshi political parties must come together immediately to halt a spate of violence and ensure free and fair elections next month, a top US official said on Friday.
At least 67 people have died in clashes since October when an 18-party opposition movement launched a wave of protests calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign before the January 5 polls.
The opposition, led by Hasina’s bitter rival, Khaleda Zia, fears the premier will try to rig the vote in a country which for decades has been plagued by coups and political upheaval.
Violence of any kind is “not acceptable” and it “must stop immediately,” deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. afp
