Jamaat leader voices concern over poll environment

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar today (5 February) expressed concerns over the environment surrounding the 12 February national election.

"If the authorities remain indifferent, the chance for a free, fair and acceptable election will be lost," he said while announcing his election manifesto at the Khulna Press Club.

He said the government still has seven days to recover illegal weapons, arrest terrorists and extortionists near polling centres, and stop the flow of black money, adding that this responsibility lies with the government, the Home Ministry and the Election Commission since the election schedule was announced.

Golam Porwar, a candidate from the Khulna-5 constituency (Dumuria–Phultala), said although the Election Commission and the head of the government have promised a free, fair and festive election, the actual situation is different.

He alleged that candidates, party workers and voters are being attacked just a week before the election. "If this situation continues, people will not be able to go to polling stations without fear."

Raising allegations of torture against women activists, he said women campaigning for the scales symbol are facing harassment, including having their burqas and face coverings pulled off. He also alleged physical assaults and attacks on pregnant women.

He claimed that a video circulating on social media shows a political leader making derogatory remarks about women seeking votes. "This is not only political violence; it is a direct attack on women's dignity," he said, expressing concern about what such individuals might do if they come to power.

Porwar also expressed serious concern over the safety of minority voters and alleged that Hindu voters in different areas of the Khulna-5 constituency are being threatened with severe consequences if they vote for the scales symbol.

In some areas, he claimed, former representatives of minority communities are being forcibly taken from their homes and compelled to work for a particular candidate. "This is not voting, but an attempt to impose a political position by force."

He said his campaign activities in Phultala and Dumuria were repeatedly obstructed. Scheduled meetings were disrupted, with chairs and tables broken in several places.

In one area, he said, opposition supporters removed chairs before the meeting could begin, preventing it from taking place.

Although the incidents were reported to the police, he alleged that no arrests were made and no legal action was taken.

Porwar further claimed that a political party is distributing large amounts of illegal money in the Khulna-5 constituency.

According to him, money is being delivered to households based on quotas set at the upazila, union and ward levels.

The Jamaat leader said the influence of black money is corrupting politics and warned that the election would become questionable if the administration fails to take effective action.

Regarding law and order, he said that despite police stations having lists of known criminals, there has been no visible progress in recovering illegal weapons or arresting violent individuals.

Porwar alleged a lack of coordination and sincerity between the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies.

He said that out of 150 polling stations in the constituency, his party has identified 52 as risky.

Porwar warned of possible voter intimidation, occupation of centres, ballot snatching and the removal of advance ballots.

He said a written list of these centres has been submitted to the administration, the Election Commission and relevant monitoring bodies.