Political violence has no place in democratic elections: US

Political violence has no place in democratic elections, according to the United States, which has denounced the violent assault on independent candidate Ashraful Alam alias Hero Alam during the voting in the Dhaka-17 constituency by-election on Monday.

Speaking at a press briefing, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, "I would say that this type of political violence has no place in democratic elections. We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to investigate any reports of violence thoroughly, transparently, and impartially, and to hold the perpetrators of violence to account.

"And I would say, as we have said before, that we would expect the Government of Bangladesh to hold free and fair elections, and we continue to monitor it closely."

The spokesman made the remarks in response to a question from a journalist. Another question related to Bangladesh mentioned an incident of attack on the family of an opposition activist who joined a protest in front of the ruling visiting Awami League MP.

In response, again, Miller said, "That type of violence that you mentioned has no place in democratic elections."

Following Monday's attack, Hero Alam received treatment at the Better Life Hospital in Rampura.

He told The Daily Samakal, "From the very beginning of voting, I was being hindered in various ways. When I went to Banani Vidyaniketan around 3pm, a group of unruly youths attacked me with Joy Bangla slogans.

"They beat me and tore my clothes. All the attackers belong to the pro-government Chhatra League-Jubo League."

/KN/MHK/