The United States said the decision to boycott elections by Awami League and its allies is an apparent reversal of their previous commitment to participate and urged them to reconsider their decision.

A spokesman for the US embassy also called for avoiding violence and refraining from activities that may disrupt the elections.

"We are disappointed by the announcement today that the Awami League and its partners in the 'Grand Alliance' intend to boycott this month's elections. We note this decision is an apparent reversal of their previous commitment to participate; we urge them to reconsider," the spokesman told UNB.

He said the US continues to believe that participation of all major parties is a necessary element for free, fair and credible elections.

"As election day approaches, we urge all parties to continue to act peacefully, to avoid violence, and to refrain from activities designed to disrupt elections," he said.

The British High Commission also expressed disappointment at the decision to boycott the elections by Awami League-led alliance but expressed hope that a way could be found for participation of all parties in the polls.

"We are disappointed by the decision to boycott the election," a spokesperson for the High Commission said.

The spokesperson said, "We have encouraged full participation all along and we will continue to do so."

"We are however concerned by the prospect of violence and therefore hope a way forward can be found that will allow participation of all political parties in the election," she said.

The European Commission said the election boycott decision by Awami League and its allies signifies that the efforts to reach agreement among relevant stakeholders on key issues pertaining to holding the parliamentary elections have not borne any fruit.

This will carry serious implications on a peaceful and acceptable democratic process in the country, a spokeswoman for the EC said.

"The European Commission trusts that the deeply troubling ramifications of this decision to withdraw from contesting the elections will prompt all stakeholders involved in the election to strive for a solution which would put Bangladesh back on the path towards peaceful democratic elections with participation by all parties," she said.