Dhaka/UNI: The US Department of State imposed visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals to undermine the democratic election process in the South Asian country, spokesperson Matthew Millar said.

“Today, the Department of State is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh," the US state department said.

This includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of opposition and ruling political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services, it said.

These persons and members of their immediate family may be found ineligible for entry into the United States.

"Additional persons found to have been responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh may also be found ineligible for US visas under this policy in the future," the press statement said.

The state department release said the United States is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner.

"Our actions today reflect the continued commitment of the United States to supporting Bangladesh’s goal of peacefully holding free and fair national elections, and to support those seeking to advance democracy globally," it said.

Earlier on May 24, the US secretary of state Antony J Blinken announced the new visa policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) (“3C”) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections.