2 die in pre-poll clashes
Staff Reporter :
With only two days left for the general election, incidents of intraparty poll violence persist across different regions of the country, leaving two people killed in Pirojpur and Munshiganj and several others sustained injuries.
Additionally, sporadic episodes of election-related violence have erupted in various districts such as Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Natore, Faridpur, and Jamalpur.
These clashes have resulted in injuries, including bullet wounds, among supporters of both the Awami League-nominated candidate and independent candidates.
Meanwhile, International Crisis Group has predicted intense poll-related violence before and after the poll due to the Bangladesh government’s strong determination to hold the general election without BNP to secure another term in office.
International Crisis Group in a report on Thursday said that the government’s firm conviction to hold one-sided election will lead to the risk of violence.
“Hasina’s determination to hold the election on her terms will increase the risk of violence, both before and after the polls,” Crisis Group’s report titled “Beyond the Election: Breaking Bangladesh’s Political Deadlock” said.
“Given the level of domestic opposition it is facing, alongside economic and geopolitical headwinds, the Awami League has reasons to seek a compromise.
While Hasina’s party may hold on to power in the short term, the opposition is likely to persist with its actions, and political and economic pressures could mount on the AL, with potentially violent repercussions,” Crisis Group said.
“The two parties should engage in dialogue to chart a way out of the stalemate.
Negotiations to rebuild relations between the main political forces and put Bangladesh back on to the path of democracy, peace and stability will require concessions from both sides.
The country’s foreign partners, particularly the US and India, should actively encourage them in that direction,” it said.
Soon after the announcement of the election schedule, poll related violence is continuing among the ruling party candidates, dummy candidates and independent candidates, leaving people killed or injured.
Meanwhile, the deceased have been identified as Md Jahangir, 55, of Badura area under Mathbaria upazila in Pirojpur and Dalim Sarkar, 35, of Sadar upazila in Munshiganj district.
Jahangir was a supporter of an independent candidate and Dalim a supporter of AL nominated candidate in their areas.
Jahangir, a supporter of an independent candidate, who was admitted to the hospital earlier in a critical condition after being injured during a pre-poll violence in Badura area under Mathbaria upazila, died Thursday morning, said DMCH police outpost in-charge Bachchu Mia.
On the other hand, a supporter of Awami League candidate was shot to death and another injured in an attack allegedly by the supporters of an independent candidate at village Munshikandi under Sadar upazila in Munshiganj district on Thursday.
Meanwhile, during the election campaign for the General Secretary of the Awami League and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, clashes and confrontations occurred between two factions.
On Wednesday night, the clash took place in Bhuiyarhat Bazar of Kabirhat Upazila in Noakhali. In this incident, 15 to 20 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, including former Mayor Alauddin Tito of Kabirhat Municipality, Chairman Jasim Uddin Shahin of Bataiya Union Parishad, were injured, and three microbuses were vandalised.
Allegations of violence have surfaced in two separate incidents in the electoral violence in Faridpur-1 constituency, where three supporters of an independent candidate were reportedly beaten. This incident took place on Wednesday evening in Boalmari Upazila of the district Faridpur.
In the report, the Crisis Group said, “After polls in 2014 and 2018 that lacked credibility, another flawed vote would ratchet up Bangladesh’s political tensions. While it is now too late to postpone the poll, the government and opposition should open talks after the vote aimed at resolving the crisis and preventing further turmoil.”
Regarding democracy, the report said, “The AL’s determination to hold on to power at any cost has corroded democracy in Bangladesh.