Leaders from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami held discussions with the Chief Election Commissioner, expressing concerns and pointing fingers at each other for disturbing the election atmosphere without explicitly naming the opposing party.
Following the morning meeting, BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan raised objections to the formation of ‘peace committees’ by a certain party in different areas, citing historical controversies associated with the term. He voiced worries that this could lead to public fear and attempts to suppress the opposition.
In response, the commission clarified that no decision had been made regarding these committees and they were unaware of such activities. Khan also highlighted alleged instances of excessive voter migration in specific constituencies before the election, questioning irregularities in voter registration processes.
Emphasizing the need for detailed migration data on a constituency basis, Khan urged the EC to take strict actions if any suspicious evidence emerged. He also called for leaders and activists of political parties to refrain from operating outside their designated areas close to the election day to prevent potential disturbances.
Contrary to the accusations, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair refuted the claims, accusing the BNP of causing disruptions to the election environment. He dismissed the allegations as baseless and suggested they stemmed from fear due to strong public support for their party.
Regarding allegations of campaigning in religious institutions, Zubair defended their practices, highlighting that all campaigns were conducted openly during daylight. He denounced attempts to tarnish the election process and emphasized the importance of maintaining a conducive environment for fair and peaceful elections.
Zubair also raised concerns about female activists facing attacks nationwide, including harassment, cyberbullying, physical assaults, and threats. He stressed the need for ensuring the safety of women voters, calling it a shared responsibility of the government and the Election Commission to create a secure environment for all voters, particularly women.
