United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Thursday expressed concerns over the environment surrounding the February-12 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 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 Parwar, 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.” Jamaat Ameer vows to ensure security, rights of all, women safety 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 fear about what such individuals might do if they come to power. Parwar 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. AB Party candidate’s election office vandalised in Feni Although the incidents were reported to the police, he alleged that no arrests or legal action were taken. Parwar 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 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. Parwar 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. Parwar warned of possible voter intimidation, occupation of centres, ballot snatching and 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.

Reassuring stakeholders about the integrity of the upcoming polls, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday said the Election Commission is prepared to ensure a free and fair election, citing an improved and supportive electoral environment. “The election environment is good. We believe we will be able to conduct a free and fair election,” the CEC told reporters after inspecting 10 booths installed on the premises of the Election Commission in the city's Agargaon area. The booths have been set up to receive appeals from aggrieved aspirants against the decisions of returning officers. A five-day scrutiny process of the nomination papers ended on Sunday ahead of the 13th parliamentary election scheduled to be held on February 12 next. During the scrutiny, the returning officers declared a total of 1842 nomination papers valid, while rejected 723 other nomination papers in the country's 300 constituencies. Now the aggrieved aspirants can file appeal petitions with the Election Commission from Monday to January 9, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over acceptance or rejection of the nomination papers.  The Commission will hear and dispose of the petitions from January 10 to 18. Law and order to improve ahead of election, hopes CEC Nasir The Election Commission on December 12 last declared the schedule to arrange the 13th national election and the referendum on July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).