United News of Bangladesh

The Election Working Alliance (EWA) on Sunday voiced deep concern over a sharp rise in violations of the electoral code of conduct, violence, intimidation, hate speech targeting women, and other threats as the polling day approaches. The concerns were raised at a roundtable titled “Ensuring a Violence-Free and Fair Election: Essential Responsibilities of the Election Commission and the Government,” organised by the organisation at the Jatiya Press Club. Presenting field-level data collected nationwide, Rafiquzzaman Ruman, head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Manarat International University, said at least 275 incidents involving code violations, violence, harassment, humiliation and attacks against women have been documented, supported by visual evidence. He said violations ahead of the election are geographically widespread and structurally repetitive, with incidents reported from more than 36 districts. Such developments  undermine the neutrality and equality of the electoral environment and threaten the safety of candidates, campaign workers, supporters and voters, he added. The discussion was chaired by former government secretary and EWA President Professor Dr Md Shariful Alam. Among the speakers were North South University Professor Dr Tawfiq M Haque, Professor Dr Waresul Karim Bulbul, former diplomat Abdul Motaleb Sarker and EWA Vice President Dr Golam Rahman Bhuiyan. Professor Dr Tawfiq M Haque said that while grassroots enthusiasm for the election is visible, several risks are emerging alongside it. To address these risks, he said, responsibility lies not only with the Election Commission but also with law enforcement agencies and political parties. Former diplomat Abdul Motaleb Sarker said the upcoming election is crucial not only domestically but also internationally. He stressed that all stakeholders in the electoral process, not just the Election Commission, must act responsibly, and urged the Commission to learn from past shortcomings and move quickly toward stricter enforcement. Several speakers expressed dissatisfaction with the recent role of law enforcement agencies, including their conduct toward media outlets, and called for professionalism and political neutrality. EWA President Professor Dr Md Shariful Alam said ensuring compliance with the electoral code of conduct is the Election Commission’s primary responsibility. “It is evident that the Election Commission is failing in this regard,” he said, adding that without a firm and impartial stance from the Commission, field administration and law enforcement agencies will not remain politically neutral. He said there is still time for the Election Commission to take a strong and neutral position and fulfil its constitutional duties.  

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday launched special hotline numbers to receive complaints and information related to the 13th Parliamentary Election and the referendum. Through the hotlines, citizens can promptly inform police about any violations of the electoral code of conduct or activities that may influence the election, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman. 46 arrested in Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 in 24 hours: DMP City residents have been requested to contact the following mobile numbers for immediate police intervention in election-related incidents: 013200373580132003735901320037360 The DMP also sought the sincere cooperation of city residents to help maintain law and order during the election.

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday warned that collecting voters’ personal information and national identity card (NID) details in the name of electioneering is a punishable offence. “It has come to the Bangladesh Election Commission’s notice that some people are collecting voters’ personal data and National Identity (NID) under the guise of election campaigning. According to the National Identity Card Registration Act 2010, one cannot carry or transfer another's National Identity Card (NID)," said EC in a press release. The electioneering officially began on Thursday (January 22) ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum scheduled to be held simultaneously on February 12. Referring to provisions of the Parliamentary Election Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates Rules, 2025, the Commission said no political party, candidate or anyone on their behalf is allowed to offer or promise any donation, contribution or gift to any person, groups or institutions residing in the electoral area. “These activities are punishable offences under these rules. The Election Commission urges all citizens and organisations to refrain from such practices,” the EC said. Earlier, on January 13, a BNP delegation lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that a particular political party has been collecting voters’ NID details and mobile phone numbers across the country. Calling the move ‘suspicious and unprecedented’, BNP Central Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan said such activities could be aimed at creating fake voters or influencing voting behavior. Nazrul Islam said the collection of mobile financial service numbers could indicate the possibility of monetary transactions. The election campaign began officially on Thursday after the Commission allocated electoral symbols on Wednesday to as many as 1,972 candidates contesting the upcoming election from 298 constituencies, excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2. The number of contesting candidates would rise further once contestants from Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 are added. Currently, there are nine valid candidates in the two constituencies. Altogether, the total number of candidates across the 300 constituencies stands at 1,981—comprising 1,732 candidates from 51 registered political parties and 249 independent candidates. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule to hold the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next.