Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gestures while speaking during a press conference after the national election in Dhaka.
The US has said that it would continue to work with the newly elected Sheikh Hasina government despite having reservations on the credibility of the recently concluded general elections in the country.
"We continue to work ..of course we will, but at the same time making clear our concerns with the election," State
Department Deputy Spokesperson, Marie Harf, told reporters yesterday at her daily news conference.
Soon after the elections were held in Bangladesh, the United States had expressed its concerns over the credibility
of the elections and had called for fresh poll which is free and fair and reflects the mandate of the people.
"We obviously work with governments who are elected, but in regards to these elections themselves, we have already made clear our disappointment with the elections, which in our view did not credibly reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people. Since almost all of the seats of the new parliament weren't contested or had only token opposition," Harf said.
"So we'll make clear our concerns when we have them," she added.
Bangladesh's general elections which were held on January 5, are considered as one of the most violent polls in the
country's history. At least 18 people died in the election day violence, and more than 100 polling stations were set on fire.