BBC Bangla Report Reveals
Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election is scheduled for 12 February. Ahead of the election, various forms of crime, including political violence and mob violence, are being reported in different parts of the country. Since the election schedule was announced, incidents of deaths linked to political violence have also occurred.
Most recently, last Monday, a Jubo Dal leader was shot dead in Raozan, Chattogram. In Cox’s Bazar, there have also been incidents where a candidate was threatened by being sent burial shrouds.
Last month, on the day after the election schedule was announced, Sharif Osman Hadi, president of Inkilab Mancha, was shot dead by criminals in Dhaka.
According to a report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), in the past year alone, that is in 2025, there were 914 incidents of political violence across the country. At least 133 people were killed and about 7,500 were injured.
In this situation, questions are being raised about how free, fair, and peaceful the upcoming national election can be held. In response, the Election Commission says that not all the incidents are political or election-related.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told BBC Bangla,
“Violence, whatever the reason and however it happens, must be stopped. If violence continues, the election environment will be disrupted. This is a major challenge for holding a fair election.”
On 5 August 2024, the day the Sheikh Hasina government fell, weapons and ammunition were looted from police stations across the country. Although some of those weapons have been recovered, many have not yet been retrieved.
On Tuesday, while attending an event in Chattogram, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Sanaullah said that 15 percent of the looted weapons and 30 percent of the looted ammunition have still not been recovered.
Political violence and deaths
The Jubo Dal leader who was shot dead in Chattogram on Monday night was the general secretary of a union BNP unit in Raozan. His name was Jane Alam Sikder.
Police said that Mr Sikder was a supporter of recently expelled BNP leader Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury.
Mr Chowdhury has submitted his nomination to contest the election from the Chattogram-6 constituency. Another BNP candidate has also submitted a party nomination in that seat.
Police have launched an investigation into the killing but have not yet arrested or identified anyone in connection with the murder.
Raozan Police Station officer-in-charge Md Sajidul Islam told BBC Bangla,
“We have not yet found any clues in this case. We are examining whether the killing was politically motivated or whether there was another reason.”
Bangladeshi media reports say that since 5 August 2024, a total of 17 people have been killed in political violence in Raozan alone.
On Monday night in Palash upazila of Narsingdi, a grocery shop owner named Sarat Chakraborty was hacked to death.
Earlier, on the day after the election schedule was announced last month, Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inkilab Mancha, was shot dead in broad daylight in Dhaka. Police submitted a charge sheet on Tuesday describing the incident as a political killing.
It has been less than a month since the election schedule was announced. During this time, there have been incidents of political violence, mob violence, and attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, among other acts of violence across the country.
Bangladesh Police media wing Assistant Inspector General AHM Shahadat Hossain told BBC Bangla that police are investigating these incidents and taking action.
According to HRSS data, in the past year alone, that is in 2025, 133 people were killed and more than 7,500 were injured in 914 incidents of political violence nationwide.
During this time, at least 168 people were killed in mob violence and lynchings.
According to the HRSS report published on 1 January, in 54 incidents of election-related violence connected to the 13th parliamentary election, three people were killed and 494 were injured.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said,
“The deterioration of law and order is not only bad for the election, but for the country as a whole. Those responsible should be brought under the law.”
Questions about the role of law enforcement
On 29 December, traders at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka organised a human chain protest against extortion. The traders alleged that the protest was attacked under the leadership of a Jubo Dal leader.
Several videos of the incident spread on social media. The videos show that although the attack took place in front of police, the police were largely inactive, which drew criticism online.
On the day Osman Hadi was killed, there were also attacks and violence at the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut and other places. The role of law enforcement in stopping these incidents was also questioned.
In this context, the Election Commission has held several meetings with senior law enforcement officials since the schedule was announced. However, questions remain about how much the situation has changed.
Election analyst Munir Khan told BBC Bangla, “After the schedule is announced, different law enforcement agencies are deployed in the election field. At that time, coordination among them is necessary. But at present, there are many questions about the role of law enforcement.”
He believes there are political reasons behind this as well. He said political parties often use law enforcement agencies for their own interests, which complicates the election environment.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the Commission has issued strict instructions to handle the situation, although some incidents are still happening.
However, he added that compared to past elections, since nominations were submitted, there have not yet been very large or widespread incidents.
What will the Election Commission do?
For the 13th parliamentary election, the initial scrutiny of nomination papers submitted by 51 registered political parties and many independent candidates has been completed.
After the withdrawal of nominations and allocation of symbols on 20 January, candidates will be able to begin official campaigning.
However, even before official campaigning has started, there have been allegations of attacks and vandalism in different parts of the country.
Former MP and expelled BNP leader Rumeen Farhana, who is contesting as an independent candidate after being denied a BNP nomination, alleged that although a stage was prepared for her rally on Monday, her opponents destroyed it.
In recent elections, violence has tended to increase once official campaigning begins.
This election is taking place in post-uprising Bangladesh, at a time when serious questions exist about the role of law enforcement.
On Monday, the National Citizen Party and Islami Andolon raised questions about the Election Commission’s role.
The NCP complained to the EC that due to the administration’s one-sided behaviour, people fear that the 12 February election will again be biased and one-sided. The party believes another engineered election is being prepared.
On the same day, Islami Andolon Bangladesh met the Chief Election Commissioner with similar complaints. The party believes the Election Commission is acting in a largely one-sided manner, disrupting the level playing field.
Earlier on Saturday, Jamaat-e-Islami made the same complaint.
Asked what strategy the Election Commission would adopt to ensure a fair election, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said,
“Whatever it takes, we are working to hold a free and impartial election. We have instructed everyone to carry out their duties neutrally.”
However, election analyst Munira Khan said that not only the Election Commission and law enforcement, but also political parties must behave responsibly.
Source BBC Bangla
সহিংসতা প্রাণহানি বাড়ছে, নির্বাচন আয়োজনে ইসির ভূমিকা নিয়ে প্রশ্ন কেন? – BBC News বাংলা
