The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent Christensen, has said that the United States does not take sides in Bangladesh’s elections. He emphasized that the authority to determine election outcomes belongs solely to the people of Bangladesh, adding that Washington is ready to work with whichever government the Bangladeshi people choose in the future.

The ambassador made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while speaking to journalists after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka.

A delegation led by Christensen held talks with the CEC, marking his first meeting with the Election Commission since assuming his post in Dhaka.

Speaking to the media, Christensen described the meeting as constructive. Discussions focused on the election scheduled for 12 February, including the policies, preparations, and procedures adopted by the interim government as part of the election process, which were explained in detail by the CEC.

The U.S. ambassador said that, as he had stated earlier during his confirmation hearing in the U.S. Senate, he is enthusiastic about Bangladesh’s upcoming election and is keenly interested in seeing its outcome.

Referring to his meeting last week with the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Christensen said the adviser had expressed hope that the election would be festive and inclusive. The ambassador added that he shares the same expectation for a celebratory election atmosphere in Bangladesh.