The United States on Tuesday (Jan 1) commended people of Bangladesh for the December 30th parliamentary elections and urged the election commission to work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities.

“The United States commends the tens of millions of Bangladeshis who voted in Bangladesh’s 11th Parliamentary Election on Dec 30, 2018, as well as the decision of all major opposition political parties to participate, a positive development after the boycotted election of 2014,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said.

In its first reaction to the successful Bangladesh election in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected, the Trump Administration said the US remains deeply invested in the future of Bangladesh and its democratic development.

 “The United States is Bangladesh’s largest foreign investor, largest single-country market for Bangladeshi exports, and home to a large community of Americans of Bangladeshi origin,” Palladino said.

“In this light, we note with concern credible reports of harassment, intimidation and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely,” the State Department official said.

The U.S. commends all who voted in #Bangladesh's 11th parliamentary election, as well as the decision of all major parties to participate in it. The U.S. remains deeply invested in the future of Bangladesh and its democratic development. https://t.co/Rj1inVgKxS

— Robert Palladino (@StateDeputySPOX) January 1, 2019

It also expressed concern that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process.

“We strongly encourage all parties to refrain from violence and request the Election Commission work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities,” Palladino said.

“Bangladesh’s impressive record of economic development and respect for democracy and human rights are mutually reinforcing, and we look forward to continue working with the ruling government and opposition towards advancing these interrelated goals,” he said.