Staff Reporter

The United States Department of State on Friday said they had taken steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals involved in undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.

‘Today, the Department of State is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh,’ said Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, in a press statement.

‘These individuals include members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition.  The United States is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner.’

US secretary of state Antony J Blinken on May 24 this year announced a new visa policy to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections.

Under this policy, the United States said it would be able to restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.