The United States (US) has reiterated its support for the interim government under Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and the Election Commission as they prepare to hold national elections early next year.

US Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson made the statement after meeting Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka on Monday afternoon.

The discussion, which began at 2:30 PM and lasted nearly an hour, was also attended by US Embassy Political Chief David Moo and Political Specialist Firoze Ahmed.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Jacobson underlined that Washington’s engagement was aimed at listening and understanding the evolving situation. She also sought to counter what she described as widespread speculation. “Since there are so many rumours and conspiracy theories out there, I want to be very clear what the US government position is. We support the interim government led by Professor Yunus and the Election Commission in charting a pathway to free and fair elections early next year. We hope those elections will take place in an atmosphere of peace and security and lead to a democratic government that reflects the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people,” she said.

Jacobson stressed that the United States does not favor any political party or candidate. “We do not, as the US embassy or the US government, support any particular party, but we do meet with the political parties to understand their platforms and goals. We do not support any particular politician, but we do meet with politicians to understand their goals. And we do not support any particular outcome,” she explained.

She ended her remarks by wishing Bangladesh success in building what she described as a representative and democratic government, before declining to take questions from the press.