DHAKA: The US ambassador in Dhaka said on Wednesday that Bangladesh’s next general elections, scheduled for January, would not earn credibility if any major power-contender boycotts the polls.

Patricia Butenis’s remarks came at a time when the Awami League is threatening to boycott the elections if the incumbents refuse to bring in constitutional changes in the composition and jurisdiction of the non-party caretaker government that the polls.

The US ambassador made the comments while talking to leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. She urged the business community to mount pressure on political leaders to sort out differences through a dialogue.

“We do not support any particular political party. We want to see free and fair elections like the previous one,” the ambassador said.

In response to a query that what would happen if the opposition ultimately boycotts the elections, Patricia Butenis said elections with such poor participation would not be credible.