Washington will not accept any military takeover in Bangladesh, said US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard A Boucher Friday.

The US official categorically said Bangladesh must restore democracy.

A good election will not be possible under the state of emergency, Boucher told reporters at a press conference at the American Club in the city

Boucher said he would have talks with political parties to ensure their participation in the upcoming general election.

To a question on any military takeover, he said: "The answer is the same as before—no. The only path forward for Bangladesh is to restore democracy and have an election."

"That is the only path anybody talked to me about during the course of the visit including the army chief."

"We would not accept any deviation from that path and we will work with everybody here to make sure Bangladesh that can achieve that," he said.

The US stand against any military takeover follows British high commissioner Anwar Choudhury's comment against any army takeover.

Choudhury had recently said Britain would never support any military intervention or military regime in Bangladesh.

Boucher came to Bangladesh Thursday on a two-day visit.

Boucher met with chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, army chief Moeen U Ahmed, foreign secretary M Touhid Hossain and a number of other government officials.