The United States ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen on Wednesday said that Washington is prepared to work with any government elected by the people of Bangladesh, reiterating that the US does not take sides in the country’s elections.

‘The outcome of the election is for the Bangladeshi people, and only the Bangladeshi people will decide their leaders,’ the ambassador said, adding that the US was ready to work with whichever government voters choose to represent them.

Christensen made the remarks after meeting with chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters in the capital, where they discussed preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for February 12.

Describing the meeting as ‘very good’, the ambassador said that the chief election commissioner briefed him in detail on the policies, preparations and procedures being undertaken by the interim government and the Election Commission ahead of the polls.

Referring to his confirmation hearing before the US Senate, Christensen said he has long expressed enthusiasm about Bangladesh’s elections and is looking forward to both the process and its outcome.

The ambassador also recalled a recent meeting with the chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who expressed hope that the election day would be a festive occasion.

‘I hope so,’ Christensen said, adding that he wishes for a peaceful and successful election in which the Bangladeshi people can freely express their views.

He said he felt reassured by the information shared by the chief election commissioner and, like many others, is looking forward to seeing the election results on February12.