"I trust that the people of Bangladesh will reject that option and work hard to protect its long tradition of democracy,' Oscar DeSoto, a senior US State Department official, said during website chat with some Bangladeshi journalists.

His comment came when asked if the US has any role to play in protecting democracy in Bangladesh from any extra-constitutional move in the wake of failure of political leadership to resolve their election disputes.

"While no one can forecast what may or may not happen in Bangladesh, I can say in general that whenever democracy comes under threat, the US can opt to use any number of tools, including diplomatic measures at multilateral organisations such as the UN or in bilateral relations, to express its concern about that threat," DeSoto said.

Replying to a question about the controversial role of the chief election commissioner and the opposition threat to boycott the elections, he said the US encourages all political parties to participate in the process of a free and fair election in 2007.

"But the Election Commission (EC) must live up to its mandate to ensure a level playing field where all participants have confidence in the process," said DeSoto, Director, the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour at the US Foreign Office.

He noted that the courts have ruled in connection with the EC and that it is considering its next steps. "I would argue that we should wait to see what the EC does next before we make a final judgement," he said at the press talk on 'US-Bangladesh Relations: Democracy in Bangladesh'.

Asked if the EC is capable of conducting next election without reform of caretaker govt, he said the US views the 2007 elections -- and the lead-up to those elections -- as a critical opportunity to strengthen and stabilise democracy in Bangladesh.

"Some measures of success are that the Elections Commission remains neutral and professional, that the Commission resolves disputes fairly and in accordance with the rule of law, and for the caretaker government to be impartial and fair."

Asked why the US considers upcoming parliamentary elections crucial and critical, DeSoto said elections are the opportunity for the people to express their will and choose their leaders. It also is a chance for political parties to articulate their views to the electorate in a clear manner.

"Without free and fair elections, no government can claim legitimacy," he said.

Asked if US likes to see Bangladesh as a secular democracy through next elections, DeSoto said this is up to the people of Bangladesh to decide. The US doesn't impose its views on this question.

Asked if they consider next elections critical after 9/11 and 7/7 terror attacks in the USA and the UK, he said Bangladesh, like the US and the UK, faced horrible attacks within its borders. Innocent people have died at the hands of those who do not honor human life or human dignity.

"Terrorists are determined to crush democracy, but, ironically, elections are a legitimate means for people to advocate their views peacefully."

In reply to a question, he said the US urges all political parties to participate fully in the process. But politics is too important to be left to politicians alone.

"Bangladesh can promote a successful election by urging their political leaders to act lawfully and responsibly, to articulate their own vision for the country's future, and to explain their stance on issues of national importance," he noted.

To another question, the US official said, "We are hopeful that the election is held on time, but above all it must be a credible process."

He said the next election will be the most monitored in Bangladesh history with thousands of domestic monitors and hundreds of international observers. These monitors seek to promote transparency and integrity throughout the electoral process, from campaigning to the actual tabulation and release of results.

About the impediments to a free and fair election, he said the essential elements in any election include free and independent media, access of all parties to that media, an independent judiciary, active civil society, public debate of the issues, the rejection of violence to advance political goals, and an EC that is impartial.