Acting US Ambassador Meets with the Chief Election Commissioner

The Acting Ambassador of the United States in Bangladesh (Charge d’Affaires), Tracy Ann Jacobson, has held a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin.

The meeting began on Monday (1 September) at 2:00 p.m. in the CEC’s office at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Alongside Tracy Ann Jacobson, other members of the US delegation included:

• Mr James Stewart, Political Officer of the US Embassy
• Firoz Ahmed, Political Specialist

From the Bangladesh Election Commission, Secretary Akhtar Ahmed personally received the US delegation at the ground floor entrance and escorted them to the CEC’s office with a team of senior officials.

The agenda of the meeting included:

• Preparations of the Election Commission for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections
• Broader issues relating to the upcoming electoral process and institutional readiness

In light of the ambassador’s visit, security at the Election Commission premises was significantly heightened.

Originally, the meeting between the CEC and Tracy Ann Jacobson had been scheduled for Thursday of the previous week. However, it was postponed due to a blockade by students of the Agricultural University at Agargaon, near the Election Commission building.

This meeting holds special significance as it is the first engagement between the current Election Commission and the US Embassy since the political transition of 5 August last year.

Meeting Timeline Overview

Through this diplomatic engagement, both sides explored the state of Bangladesh’s electoral preparedness and reaffirmed dialogue on democratic processes.