DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD | Giving citizens a voice
31 December 2008
Bangladesh “Can Take Great Pride” in Election, U.S. Says
State Department praises voters, candidates, officials for successful vote
Washington — The United States has offered its congratulations to the people of Bangladesh for holding successful elections in which former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League won a strong majority in the country’s parliament.
“All Bangladeshis can take great pride in the success of these elections,” State Department acting deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said in a December 29 statement. “The high voter turnout underscores the people’s desire to see democracy restored as well to have a voice in their future. We also look forward to a continuation of the reforms that have enjoyed wide popular support.”
Duguid congratulated government officials and the Bangladesh Election Commission for their success, and praised the candidates and voters for “the manner in which they conducted themselves during the campaign and on Election Day.”
He urged unsuccessful candidates to continue to participate in the country’s political process. “Whether in government or opposition, all political parties have an important role in helping to build a better future for Bangladesh,” Duguid said.
Election officials reported that more than 70 percent of the country’s 81 million voters are believed to have participated in the December 28 vote. It was Bangladesh’s first election in seven years. The country has been ruled by a military-backed government since the army cancelled January 2007 elections following months of violence among political factions.
Bangladeshi officials described the vote as “very free and fair,” and Duguid acknowledged the “critical role” played by approximately 200,000 domestic and international election observers.
“The United States will continue to support the people of Bangladesh and its new government as they begin a new chapter in their country’s history,” Duguid said.
