Election tensions escalate as violence surges across Dhaka and other regions
The Election Commission, meanwhile, has maintained that the playing field remains level
As the national parliamentary elections draw closer, incidents of election-related violence are on the rise across Dhaka and the rest of the country. Since the start of the campaign on 22 January, at least 20 violent incidents have been reported in different parts of Bangladesh, with the majority involving supporters of candidates nominated by the BNP and the Jamaat-led alliance.
Today alone, reports of at least five separate violent incidents reached The Business Standard from across the country.
In Dhaka-18, NCP senior joint convener and unified Bangladesh alliance candidate Ariful Islam alleged that supporters of BNP candidate SM Jahangir Hossain attacked his campaign rally. Speaking about the incident, Ariful Islam said the peaceful campaign at Dumni Bazar was attacked by a group led by BNP leader Didar Molla, leaving several colleagues injured, and called it a sign that the opposition is resorting to violence out of fear of losing public support.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Responding to the allegation, BNP candidate SM Jahangir Hossain said, "I have heard about the incident and informed the party. Didar Molla has been reprimanded as per party instructions. I personally called Ariful Islam Abid after the incident. We believe in coexistence, and nothing provocative will come from our side."
In Tangail-2's Gopalpur upazila, supporters of Jamaat candidate Md Humayun Kabir alleged that BNP activists attacked women supporters of Jamaat campaigning with him. Similarly, in Jashore-2, Jamaat candidate Mosleh Uddin Farid accused BNP-affiliated Jubo Dal activists of assaulting female campaigners, injuring two women. Local women leaders of the Jhikargacha upazila Jamaat held a press conference at Jashore Press Club to protest the attacks.
Violence was also reported in Chuadanga-1, Alamdanga upazila, Khadimpur union, where tensions escalated into heated arguments and physical scuffles when Jamaat workers were campaigning for their candidate, leaving 13 people injured on both sides.
Visiting the injured at the hospital, BNP candidate Sharifuzzaman said, "The peaceful environment of the election is being deliberately disrupted. Unexpected attacks by Jamaat have injured eight BNP leaders and workers, including women." Jamaat candidate Masud Parvez Russell countered, saying, "Our female workers are repeatedly obstructed during campaigning. Five Jamaat members, including women, were injured in attacks by BNP supporters."
Earlier, on 22 January in Natore-2, campaigners of Jamaat-e-Islami were attacked by BNP activists during a public rally, reportedly including slaps and other forms of assault.
On 23 January, in Kishoreganj, an internal clash broke out during a BNP rally over the arrangement of chairs, leaving at least 30 activists injured on both sides. On 24 January, in Gaharpur village, Meherpur, the Jamaat alleged that three people were assaulted after protesting the harassment of female partisans.
Speaking after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said, "Violations of the code of conduct and attacks are occurring at multiple locations, including against our female campaigners. We have been observing these incidents with growing concern and anxiety over the past four days, and we are waiting to see what the Election Commission does."
The Election Commission, meanwhile, has maintained that the playing field remains level. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that despite reports and counter-reports over the past five days, the commission believes that election procedures are fair.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud told TBS, "We are receiving complaints about incidents of violence in various areas and are forwarding them to the investigation committee. They will investigate and take necessary action. Every complaint is being taken seriously by the commission."
