BNP welcomes new US visa restrictions

Welcoming the US's new visa policy targeting the next national election in Bangladesh, the BNP on Thursday hoped that it would play a supporting role in ensuring fair elections.

"There is no reason for their party to be worried about the US move since it is involved in vote rigging," BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru also said while talking to reporters in front of the party chairperson's Gulshan office.

"We welcome this decision of the US as it was made considering the concern of the people of Bangladesh over the next general elections. 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 BNP's foreign affairs committee, also said the US move has sent out a message that the people of Bangladesh can't exercise their right to franchise and their constitutional rights have been taken away while their lives are at risk.

Stating that vote rigging is prevalent in Bangladesh, he also said the US new visa policy is a big message to stop election manipulation in the days to come.

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

He also said, "There's no discussion about the election of  other countries. The US visa policy was announced exclusively for Bangladesh and its specific organisations and individuals."

The United States on Wednesday 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 said.