Candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP have traded accusations over the electoral environment ahead of the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, with Jamaat candidate Delawar Hossain alleging campaign obstruction and voter intimidation, while BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin dismissed the claims as fabricated attempts to undermine the election.
Despite the allegations, Delawar said he would remain in the race, while Mirza Faisal Amin pledged to accept the election results, whatever the outcome.
Speaking at a press conference at a restaurant in Thakurgaon town on Wednesday evening, Delawar said his party intended to contest the election until the end and remained confident in the election preparations and the administration’s role.
However, he warned that if the situation resembled the 1994 Magura by-election, his party would take necessary measures depending on the circumstances.
Delawar alleged that his party’s campaign was being obstructed, activists were being attacked, and voters were being intimidated at their homes. He also accused government officials and employees of being used for partisan electoral activities.
He expressed concern over whether voters would be able to reach polling stations without hindrance.
Delawar also raised concerns about voter turnout, suggesting that people living outside Dhaka might be less inclined to travel to vote in a by-election. He said the reported threats and intimidation had added to uncertainty surrounding the polls.
Responding to the BNP’s allegation that there was a plan to prevent minority voters from reaching polling stations, Delawar dismissed the claim as false and baseless. He said all citizens, regardless of religion or background, had the right to vote safely and urged Hindu voters and other members of the community to go to polling stations without fear.
At a separate press conference at the district BNP office on Wednesday night, Mirza Faisal Amin rejected Jamaat’s allegations, saying false claims were being used to create controversy and undermine confidence in the election.
He alleged that leaders and activists of the 11-party alliance were attempting to confuse voters through a series of accusations, some of which, he claimed, had already been disproved by the relevant authorities.
Mirza Faisal Amin said allegations of attacks, threats and other irregularities were being used to generate controversy. He also denied allegations that the BNP was distributing money to voters, describing the claims as baseless and unsupported by evidence.
In contrast, he alleged that there was substantial evidence of Jamaat distributing money.
On whether he would accept the election results, Mirza Faisal Amin said he would respect the outcome, arguing that rejecting the results would amount to a lack of faith in democratic principles. He said democracy required respect for the people’s will.
Delawar described the election as a test of whether public confidence in the electoral system could be restored. He said a free, fair and impartial election was possible even under a partisan government and urged the administration to set an example through the voting process.
The competing allegations have put the electoral environment and voter safety at the centre of discussion ahead of the by-election. Ensuring that voters can reach polling stations without pressure or intimidation remains a key concern, alongside the need for the results to reflect the electorate’s choice.
Party leaders and activists attended both press conferences.