The polling agents of out-of-parliament opposition, BNP, are concerned about possible intimidation allegedly posed by the ruling party, Awami League, during the upcoming Gazipur City Corporation election.
These agents expressed worries that local Awami League leaders, and the administration, might intimidate and threaten the BNP on the night before scheduled voting. However, polling agents of the ruling party deemed the BNP’s accusations baseless, adding that the election environment would remain as disciplined during voting as it was during campaigning.
BNP polling agent in Ward 27, Sabbir Hossain, told the Dhaka Tribune: “So far, we received no threats, but I am concerned about facing intimidation on the night just before the voting day.”
Poling agents Rifat and Abdullah echoed the same opinion.
‘Who will we complain to?’
Member Secretary of the Election Management Committee for Ward 27, Alamgir Hossain said: “We are the ones who are managing the polling agents. If they [Awami League] manage to shut us down, BNP’s campaign activities will be severely disrupted.
“They are making announcements that we [the BNP] will not be allowed to install booths and distribute voting slips during polls.”
Polling agent in Ward 28, Roksana Akter said: “If we are kicked out of the polling centers during the election, who will we complain to? And will there be any action against the culprits?”
Election coordinator for Ward 27, and former unit president of the BNP, Abdur Rashid said: “On Friday night, plain-clothed policemen came to my neighborhood and inquired about my whereabouts from the locals. This kind of behavior has made me concerned, as the election is just around the corner.
“My polling agents and activists are very concerned too.”
Gazipur district BNP General Secretary and Election Management Committee Member Secretary Kazi Sayedul Alam said: “The loudspeakers we have been using for election campaign in wards seven and eight were taken away a few days ago.
“We submitted complaints to the returning officer, but we are yet to get the loudspeakers back.”
Sayedul continued: “The DB police visited the homes of Konabari Election Management Committee Convener Selim Hossain, and members Shahadat Hossain and Aminul Hossain on Saturday, and misbehaved with their parents.”
‘BNP is muddying the water’
Member of Awami League Election Management Committee in Ward 28, Ismail Hossain Sheikh said: “The BNP makes this sort of statement when an election approaches. Their concerns are completely out of touch with reality.
“The BNP is using propaganda to muddy the water before the polls.”
Polling agent of the Awami League candidate for Ward 27, Komol Sarkar commented that both the ruling party and the BNP are cooperating in the election area, and no problems have been reported in this ward thus far.
“The BNP is hanging posters, distributing leaflets and engaging in electoral campaigning in a very peaceful manner. There is nothing to worry about. Their concerns are baseless,” said Shipon, another polling agent.
Inspector Amir Hossain of Gazipur DB Police, told the Dhaka Tribune that the allegations made by BNP leaders and activists have no grounds whatsoever.
Returning Officer for Gazipur city polls, Rakib Uddin Mandal said: “We have informed the Election Commission about the complaints put forth by the BNP. We are making an effort to resolve these issues.
“On Saturday, we asked the superintendent of police to ensure that no police harassment can take place.”
However, responding to a query, Gazipur Superintendent of Police (SP) Harun-ar-Rashid told the correspondent: “The returning officer did not contact me on Saturday and did not send me any letters. I have no knowledge about the allegations BNP made against the police.”
The Gazipur City Corporation polls were scheduled for May 15. But a High Court order postponed it to June 26.