The United States has expressed its disappointment over the current political impasse in Bangladesh ahead of the January 5 general elections in the country.
"We believe it's even more urgent than ever for the major parties to redouble their efforts to engage in constructive dialogue," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said yesterday.
The BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance is boycotting the polls and political violence during nationwide strikes and blockades enforced by the opposition since November have left over 120 people dead and have crippled the economy.
Opposition parties were demanding election under non-party caretaker government to oversee the polls. Besides the opposition, a key ally of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party has also boycotted the polls.
Hasina, however, insists that the vote will go ahead as planned.
"They need to find a way forward, to hold free and fair elections that are credible, and violence is never acceptable because it subverts the democratic process," Harf said, adding that the United States will not be deploying observers for this election over the weekend.
"We're disappointed that the major political parties have not yet reached a consensus on a way to hold free, fair, and credible elections," Harf said.
