US visa policy: BNP hopes it can help ensure credible polls

Welcoming the new visa policy of the US, BNP today hoped that it would play a supporting role in ensuring fair election.

Talking to reporters in front of party chairperson's Gulshan office, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru also said there is no reason for their party to be worried about the US move since it is not involved in vote rigging.

"We welcome this decision of the US as it was made considering the concern of the people of Bangladesh over the [next general] election. I think this step will at least play a supporting role in holding the next polls in a fair and credible manner," he said.

Khasru, also the chairman of the BNP's foreign affairs committee, said the US move has sent a message that the people of Bangladesh can't exercise their right to franchise and their constitutional rights have been taken away.

Khasru said the ruling party should be worried about their future if they again indulge in vote rigging instead of restoring people's voting and democratic rights.

He said the US move is a reflection of the people's worries over the upcoming national election. "There's no discussion about the election of other countries, including our neighbouring ones. The US visa policy was announced exclusively for Bangladesh and its specific organisations and individuals."

The US yesterday announced a new visa policy specific to Bangladesh with a view to promoting free and fair elections.

"Under this policy, we can impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced yesterday.