Jamaat alleges police raids, intimidation of candidates ahead of polls, seeks EC action
He also alleged that acts of vandalism and intimidation were continuing in Dhaka-15 as well as in Pabna
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami today (8 February) alleged that the election environment has become increasingly one-sided, accusing the administration – particularly the police – of acting in a biased manner.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Election Commission, party's Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair urged the commission to take immediate corrective steps.
A five-member Jamaat delegation attended the meeting.
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Zubair said incidents of attacks and intimidation were being reported across the country, while police were "raiding Jamaat election offices on various pretexts."
He also alleged repeated attacks on women workers in the Dhaka-15 constituency, adding that despite earlier complaints to the EC, no visible improvement had been seen.
Zubair further claimed that police bias was particularly evident in Patuakhali's Bauphal constituency, where Jamaat candidate Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud is contesting.
"The officer-in-charge of Bauphal Police Station is behaving in an extremely partisan manner," he alleged, adding that the OC was conducting raids on Jamaat offices alongside BNP and Chhatra Dal activists.
"As long as this OC remains posted there, a fair election will not be possible in Bauphal," Zubair said, calling for the officer's immediate withdrawal.
He also alleged that acts of vandalism and intimidation were continuing in Dhaka-15 – where Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman is contesting – as well as in Pabna.
Referring to an attack on the Jamaat district ameer in Pabna and the burning of a motorcycle, Zubair said female party workers had also been targeted.
"Despite being aware of these incidents, the local administration and the upazila nirbahi officer are not taking effective action," he added.
