UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over reports of violence at political rallies in Bangladesh while the United States pushed all sides to engage in “dialogue” without preconditions to de-escalate tensions.

The UN chief also called on all parties to refrain from violence or any excessive use of force or arbitrary detention, said his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.

Guterres stressed the need for respecting the right of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Responding to a question, the spokesman for the UN secretary-general said, "I don’t think anyone wants to prejudge the elections."

"We obviously are concerned, as I said, by the violence. We still think that it is important that there be calm and respect for all people’s freedom to express themselves in advance of the elections," said the spokesman at a regular briefing at the UN on October 30.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas hoped that all sides going forward will engage in a “dialogue” without preconditions to de-escalate tensions and find a path forward to “free, fair and peaceful” elections.

“Political violence by any side has no place in democratic elections,” he said after his meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal at the EC office on Tuesday.

Ambassador Haas also urged to avoid any action that undermines the democratic election process, including the use of violence, preventing people from exercising their rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and internet access – calling to question the ability to conduct free and fair elections.

Thanking the CEC for his time, Haas said during their meeting, he urged for transparency and accountability in the Election Commission’s unique constitutional role in essential work towards organising elections.

He said that free and fair elections, as they all know, happen over weeks and months before the actual day votes are cast.

Haas said voters, political parties, government, security forces, civil society, media and the Election Commission all are responsible regarding that.

The Election Commission has no option but holding elections on time as per the constitution, said Chief election commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.

“The EC has to hold the election on time, no matter what the situation is,” the CEC told journalists after his meeting with the US ambassador on Tuesday.

The United States has condemned the political violence that took place in Dhaka on October 28.

During a press briefing on October 30, US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “The reported killing of a police officer, a political activist, and the burning of a hospital and buses are unacceptable, as is violence against civilians, including journalists.”

Miller said the US encourages the authorities to thoroughly investigate the incidents at the October 28th rally and to hold those responsible for violence accountable. 

He said the holding of free and fair elections is everyone’s responsibility – voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society, and the media. 

Miller said diplomats talk to a wide variety of people – civil society organizations, media professionals, business leaders, cultural contributors, educators, and many other types of organizations and individuals. 

"That is what diplomats do as part of their everyday job," the US State Department spokesperson added.

“We have made clear that we will take actions if necessary to support democracy in Bangladesh, and I would never preview those from the podium,” he said while responding to another question. 

Highlighting opposition parties’ “brutality and destruction” on October 28-29, the government on Monday conveyed to the international community its “strong and unwavering” stance to stick to the democratic process as mandated by the constitution, and hold “free, fair and credible” elections in time.

Law Minister Anisul Huq said the next election will be held either at the end of 2023 or the first week of 2024, and it will be “free, fair, and peaceful.”

“It does not matter who comes or does not come. A participatory election means participation of people. If there is a participation of people, then that is participatory election,” he told reporters on Monday.

The law minister said that the diplomats were given a chance to ask questions but they did not have any questions.