Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has urged political parties in the country to unanimously put an end to electoral violence.
“Elections were held based on political consensus in the past, yet there was electoral violence. I do not see any signs of a political agreement now,” he said following a meeting with the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council on Wednesday.
“Even if there was an agreement, I would urge parties to unanimously put an end to electoral violence,” the CEC added.
However, he said the Election Commission has no hope or trust in political leaders.
A five-member representative team of the council called for stringent measures to curb violence before and after the upcoming parliamentary election during the meeting at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area.
General Secretary of the organization Rana Dasgupta said they often feel used as political pawns and do not want a repeat of past experiences.
However, the CEC assured that there would be strict directives for those involved to ensure a violence-free electoral environment before and after the elections.
Law enforcement accountable for communal violence
CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said that if there is communal violence before or after the parliamentary election, the responsibility will lie with the law enforcement agencies.
“The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council representatives expressed concerns over potential election-centred communal clashes, citing past incidents,” he said.
The chief election commissioner said the Election Commission has taken their concerns very seriously and will ensure that law enforcement agencies oversee the matter.
“When any issue becomes related to the election, it will fall under the Election Commission’s jurisdiction,” he said
"We will inform the government, the relevant deputy commissioners and superintendents of police, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure no communal violence occurs centred around the election," he added.
The CEC said the Election Commission has some control over the law enforcement agencies for up to 15 days after the election.
“Regardless of the elections, it is the duty of the law enforcement agencies to ensure communal harmony, and prevent any form of communal violence,” he said.
“If they fail, they will bear the responsibility,” he added.
Anxiety and concern over communal violence
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council General Secretary Advocate Rana Dasgupta said: "Considering the upcoming 12th parliamentary election, we have shared our concerns, anxieties, and fears.”
“We have clearly expressed our desire for everyone to vote. However, we demand a violence-free election from the perspective of the religious minorities,” he said.
“We want an end to the use of communal sentiments during election campaigns," he added.
Rana Dasgupta further said: "We have received assurances from the Election Commission (EC) in the past. But over time, these assurances remained just words, failing to comfort us.”
“While the chief election commissioner (CEC) has reassured us, we hope the past incidents will not recur," he said.
"We are in panic over communal violence. We have been used as pawns in the political arena before,” Rana Dasgupta added.