Awami League nominated candidate contesting the Dhaka-17 by-election, Mohammad Ali Arafat, has condemned the attack on his rival candidate Ashraful Alam, popularly known as “Hero Alam”.

 “I’ve heard about the assault on one candidate. Such an untoward event was not necessary. I think the perpetrators were trying to make the election seem controversial. I condemn this incident,” he said at a press conference after voting ended in the by-election this afternoon.

Arafat urged the Election Commission to conduct a proper investigation into the incident and take legal action against the perpetrators.

Also read: Hero Alam physically assaulted ‘in front of law enforcers’ in Banani area, says his chief election agent

 “Such incidents should not happen again during elections in Bangladesh in future,” the AL-backed candidate said.

Later, Arafat said the perpetrators involved in the attack could not be Awami League's well wishers and the incident was perpetrated to malign the election. 

"What happened just 20 minutes before the end of the election is uncalled for, I strongly condemn it. The involved parties could not be Awami League’s well-wishers. It was done with the intention of maligning the election. The culprits should be arrested and brought to justice," Arafat tweeted following his press conference.

Earlier today, Hero Alam – an independent candidate contesting Dhaka-17 by-election – was physically assaulted while leaving a polling centre in Banani area.

Mohammad Elias, chief election agent of Hero Alam, said the candidate was taken to  Better Life Hospital in Rampura around 5:30 pm in an unconscious state and is now undergoing treatment.

Also read: Action against those involved in Hero Alam assault: EC Alamgir

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Mohammad Alamgir has said action will be taken against those involved in the incident.

“The Hero Alam incident is an injustice, and steps are underway to take action against those involved,” the election commissioner said at a post-election briefing in front of journalists at the Election Commission building.

Also read: Dhaka-17 by-polls: ‘No alternative to Awami League’ Arafat says, optimistic about win