EU High Representative Catherine Ashton Thursday said she has taken note of the preliminary results and of "reports of low turnout" for the 10th Parliamentary elections held in Bangladesh on 5 January. She noted in a statement that the EU has repeatedly called on all parties to create favourable conditions for transparent, inclusive and credible elections. Ashton said that she "therefore, regrets the fact that such conditions did not materialise and that the people of Bangladesh were not given an opportunity to express fully their democratic choice." The EU foreign policy chief strongly condemned the acts of violence which occurred in the run-up to and during the elections and particularly attacks against the most vulnerable populations, including women and children as well as religious and ethnic minorities. "The EU urges all parties to refrain from violence and to engage in genuine dialogue to agree on a mutually acceptable way forward to strengthen democratic accountability and to hold transparent, inclusive and credible elections, putting the interests of the people of Bangladesh first," added the statement