A bipartisan group of six influential US Congressmen has voiced concern over the status of democracy in Bangladesh and called upon the Trump Administration to address “threats to democracy” in the country. In a letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday, the members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee also highlighted reports of election fraud, rigging and voter suppression over the December 30 polls and urged the Department of State to “take action”, as per media report.
The allegations of widespread rigging and voter suppression must be taken seriously, says a US Congress press release. Asserting that supporting democracy, rule of law, and human rights in the Indo-Pacific region is critical to advancing US interests, the Congressmen said the reports of irregularities in recent elections seriously threaten those important interests. In another development, a top Pentagon commander also expressed concern over the December 30 polls.
What is most interesting is that when the US Congressmen are voicing concern about Bangladesh’s democratic scenario; at that time the US itself is going through a big political crisis witnessing a government shutdown. Trump Administration is passing tough time over construction of Mexico wall and some other issues.
It is of course crucial that the US continue its commitment and respect for democratic institutions. But how can the US address threats to democracy in Bangladesh? It can start by investigating whether the allegations of widespread voter fraud are true or not. The results of such an investigation can open the door for meaningful dialogue between the government and the opposition parties. Based on those talks decisions can be taken for a future pathway– presumably one that holds the key towards the holding of a free and meaningful election in the future.
Exactly how far such actions can be carried out is unknown as so far the US has shown no interest towards Bangladesh in the sense that it does not seem too worried about the election results. Whether it will even want to get involved in the current political culture of Bangladesh is so far unknown. We have seen no tangible evidence of the current US administration to get into the nitty gritty of the political scenery here.
The allegations of widespread rigging and voter suppression must be taken seriously, says a US Congress press release. Asserting that supporting democracy, rule of law, and human rights in the Indo-Pacific region is critical to advancing US interests, the Congressmen said the reports of irregularities in recent elections seriously threaten those important interests. In another development, a top Pentagon commander also expressed concern over the December 30 polls.
What is most interesting is that when the US Congressmen are voicing concern about Bangladesh’s democratic scenario; at that time the US itself is going through a big political crisis witnessing a government shutdown. Trump Administration is passing tough time over construction of Mexico wall and some other issues.
It is of course crucial that the US continue its commitment and respect for democratic institutions. But how can the US address threats to democracy in Bangladesh? It can start by investigating whether the allegations of widespread voter fraud are true or not. The results of such an investigation can open the door for meaningful dialogue between the government and the opposition parties. Based on those talks decisions can be taken for a future pathway– presumably one that holds the key towards the holding of a free and meaningful election in the future.
Exactly how far such actions can be carried out is unknown as so far the US has shown no interest towards Bangladesh in the sense that it does not seem too worried about the election results. Whether it will even want to get involved in the current political culture of Bangladesh is so far unknown. We have seen no tangible evidence of the current US administration to get into the nitty gritty of the political scenery here.
