He hoped that there would be a more detailed timeline to be announced by the government leading to the arrangement of a free and fair election at the earliest.

Boucher made the remarks during a meeting with Foreign Secretary-in Charge Md Touhid Hossain at the State Department on Thursday.

John Gastright, deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, and Karen Aguilar, director of the Office of Bangladesh and Pakistan Affairs, were present during the meeting.

According to a Bangladesh embassy press release in Washington yesterday, Boucher wanted to know about the latest situation in Bangladesh.

Boucher reiterated US support for Bangladesh government's drive against corruption and other malpractices. He, however, hoped that due process of law would be maintained.

Hossain, now on an official visit to the United States, apprised Boucher of the ongoing process of preparations of electoral roll and other election related preparatory works undertaken by the reconstituted Election Commission.

Boucher and Hossain reiterated their mutual resolve to remain engaged with each other to ensuring further progress in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.