MOSCOW, January 12. /TASS/. International and Russian observers have confirmed the legitimacy of parliamentary elections held in Bangladesh on January 7, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement published on the Foreign Ministry website.
"Both local and international observers (more than 200 people), including Russian individuals, have confirmed the legitimacy of the elections and their compliance with generally accepted standards. Andrey Yuryevich Shutov, a member of the Russian Federation Central Election Commission (CEC), headed the Russian delegation," Zakharova said.
The diplomat also noted that "certain opposition political parties, unfortunately, had abstained from participating in the elections." "As we already mentioned on November 22 and December 15 last year, there were attempts to influence the electoral process from abroad," the spokeswoman asserted, "We should pay tribute to the Bangladeshi leadership, who were able to create the necessary conditions for the voters to freely express their will."
"On this occasion, we would like to congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful elections," Zakharova concluded.
Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League (People's League) party finished far ahead of its rivals to win the parliamentary elections. Party leader and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will take office as head of government for the fourth time in a row, and for the fifth time in her lengthy political career as the longest-serving prime minister in the history of the South Asian nation.