Russia supports Bangladesh elections, regrets boycott

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Russia has backed the Jan 5 general elections in Bangladesh and said it was ready to continue constructive partnership with the next government, a media report said Saturday.

Russia also regretted that the key opposition parties in Bangladesh boycotted the elections, bdnews24.com reported Saturday citing a Russian foreign ministry statement.

"Russia confirms that it is ready to continue constructive partnership with a government, which will be formed soon," the statement said.

"We hope that the authorities and the opposition will not go beyond the Constitution in order to ensure stability and strengthen democratic institutions in the country," it added.

Some 21 parties, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party, boycotted the polls over Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's refusal to introduce a non-party interim government to oversee the elections.