Dhaka: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that its candidates are being harassed in some areas by magistrates and election officials.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the party claimed that such actions are being taken on the officials’ own initiative, even where no formal complaints have been lodged, raising concerns about the neutrality of the administration ahead of the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad expressed concerns after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, stating that in several areas, candidates of certain parties are continuing their campaigns freely while Jamaat candidates face harassment. He noted that the election campaign is supposed to start from January 22, and emphasized the need for impartiality to ensure a level playing field in the election.
The Jamaat leader alleged that certain parties’ candidates are not facing action for violating the electoral code of conduct, while Jamaat candidates are being subjected to complaints, fines, and notices. Azad called for an end to this harassment and insisted on the equal treatment of party chiefs in terms of state protocol and security arrangements.
Azad also emphasized the importance of ensuring a congenial atmosphere for a fair election, urging all stakeholders, including the government and the Election Commission, to take effective steps. He demanded that every polling station be equipped with CCTV surveillance to ensure security and a fair voting environment, suggesting that the government allocate funds for this purpose.
In response to allegations of postal ballot irregularities involving a Jamaat leader in Bahrain, Azad dismissed the claim as false, asserting that Jamaat has no overseas organisational activities in Bahrain. He also addressed BNP’s demands for constituency-based postal ballots and noted that there was no issue with the alphabetical arrangement of party symbols on ballots.