Despite assurances from the Election Commission and political parties that the upcoming national polls will be free, fair and peaceful, growing incidents of mob violence across the country have triggered serious concerns about whether law enforcement will be able to secure the election environment.
The alarm intensified on Thursday when Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali publicly expressed regret and frustration over what he called the arrogant and violent behaviour of mobs targeting on-duty police officers.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Cyber Support Center of the DMP’s Intelligence Branch, the commissioner said police officers risking their lives in the field are being assaulted, humiliated and obstructed by groups intent on taking the law into their own hands.
“If the attacks on the police continue,” he warned, “people will have to guard their own homes.”
The unusually blunt remark, rare for a senior police official, has sparked fresh debate on whether the current wave of mob vigilantism could undermine the security required for credible elections.
‘We are being treated like rivals’
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune that tensions peaked on November 17 when a mob attempted to storm and bulldoze Dhanmondi 32.
Police intervened to prevent the attack but were met with hostility.
“They treated us like we were political rivals,” the IGP said.
“Our cars were vandalized. Officers were pushed and attacked. It is very sad.”
He warned that assaults on police damage the morale of the force and erode their ability to maintain order.
“The police are servants of the people. We work for your welfare. Treat the police with respect.”
‘Mob violence could destabilize elections’
Social scientist and criminologist Dr Touhidul Haque of Dhaka University said the country’s political climate is already heating up ahead of the national polls.
Against that backdrop, a surge in mob violence — in Dhaka and other districts — significantly heightens the risk of election-time chaos.
“If this violence is not contained now,” he said, “it could easily spread to constituencies and polling stations.”
“Some political candidates who want to win at any cost may even exploit mob violence as a tool of intimidation.”
He warned that uncontrolled mob actions combined with election-season tensions could “create complications that no institution is prepared for.”
Human rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) reported 220 deaths linked to mob violence during the 13 months between August last year and September this year, a number experts say is strikingly high for a pre-election period.
‘Mob violence is not democracy’
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking on Wednesday, said democracy cannot be restored unless society breaks away from mob justice and political vigilantism.
“Democracy means tolerating others’ opinions,” he said.
“Gathering some people and saying ‘beat him to death’ or ‘crush it, break it’ — that is not democracy.”
Fakhrul said political culture must shift away from emotional retaliation and toward lawful accountability.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin acknowledged that political actors and their supporters play a crucial role in ensuring a peaceful election.
“No fair election can be held without political parties and their cooperation. That is absolutely certain,” he said at a dialogue on November 17.
But he insisted the commission remains firmly committed to preparing a secure and credible voting environment.
“No matter how many storms, cyclones, or crises come,” the CEC said: “we will face them and take whatever steps are necessary.”
With senior police officials openly expressing frustration, human rights groups issuing grave warnings, and criminologists forecasting heightened risk, concerns are mounting that the surge in mob vigilantism could disrupt the atmosphere needed for a credible national election.
The next few weeks, observers say, will be critical — not only for combating mob violence, but for restoring public confidence that the election can proceed safely, securely and without fear.
