Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam on Wednesday lodged a series of complaints with the Election Commission, alleging attacks, intimidation of its leaders and activists and vandalism of party offices across the country in an attempt to undermine the election-friendly environment ahead of Thursday’s elections.
“We sadly say that the nice environment we expect for the elections is repeatedly disrupted. Various types of barricades are being created (to intimidate our leaders, activists and supporters),” said Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair.
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He made this remark after a delegation of Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban in the afternoon, just hours before polling begins at 7:30am on Thursday.
Zubair warned that if attacks continue on polling day, Jamaat activists would resist what he described as ‘terrorist activities’ with public support.
“We will build resistance against terrorists with the people. InshaAllah, there will be resistance in every centre (polling station). There will be mass resistance,” he said replying to a question.
Zubair cited several incidents, including an attack on Jamaat leaders in Moulvibazar on Tuesday night, where their local leaders including upazila election management committee chief Abdur Rahman were allegedly assaulted while returning home.
He claimed that their vehicles were vandalised and some leaders sustained serious injuries and were shifted to Sylhet for advanced treatment.
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Similar incidents were also reported in Moulvibazar Sadar-Rajnagar constituency, Sirajganj, Faridpur, Netrokona, Manikganj, Barishal and Patuakhali, where Jamaat’s prospective polling agents and local leaders were allegedly attacked or threatened, he said.
Zubair also alleged that in Sirajganj, the law enforcers made announcements through loudspeakers on Tuesday asking locals to hand over certain Jamaat leaders to them, despite no cases being filed against them and they are dignified persons in the society.
He questioned the legality of such actions claiming that the announcement is to create fear among voters.
The Jamaat leader questioned who or what is inciting such forces to create a fearful atmosphere among the people by making announcements through loudspeakers in this way, which is a serious obstacle to a fair election.
Referring to Dhaka-15 constituency, Zubair claimed that 12 election camps of Jamaat Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman were vandalised and set on fire overnight.
“If such incidents can occur in the capital city and on major roads, questions naturally arise about the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies,” he said, urging the EC to immediately investigate and to take action.
Zubair also raised concerns over an incident at Saidpur Airport, where a district-level Jamaat leader was allegedly harassed and mentally tortured by police after travelling from Dhaka with Tk 50 lakh.
He said the elderly and ailing leader later fell sick and was admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
Jamaat demanded his immediate release and warned of legal action against those responsible.
The Jamaat leader urged the EC to install CCTV cameras inside and outside polling centres to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election.