Tensions have escalated ahead of the December 19 E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (E-CAB) election, with candidates alleging physical assaults, intimidation and attempts to prevent them from collecting nomination papers.
In the latest incident on Wednesday, Hosne Ara Nuri, also known as Nowrin, a candidate for the post of general secretary, was taken to Dhanmondi West Police Station by a group of people after she went to the association's office in Dhanmondi to collect her nomination paper.
Videos of the incident have circulated on social media, showing a group of people surrounding her and taking her to the police station.
Nowrin had obtained police clearance on November 9 and deposited Tk1 lakh with E-CAB on November 10 as part of the election process.
Hours before the incident, Nowrin had told the media that she felt unsafe while attempting to participate in the election.
She alleged that followers of Kazi Mukituzzaman Mukit, who is reportedly associated with Jubo Dal, and a few others had been gathering near the E-CAB office throughout the day, creating an intimidating environment.
"Ordinary E-CAB members want the organization’s leadership to be elected through voting in a festive atmosphere. However, followers of Kazi Mukituzzaman Mukit and a few others, including people associated with Jubo Dal, have been sitting near the E-CAB office with groups of people throughout the day, creating disorder. On Tuesday, Mukit's followers tore up the nomination paper of a presidential candidate. Now I am also afraid to collect my nomination paper," she said.
A few hours later, when she went to collect her nomination paper, a group of people allegedly labelled her a collaborator of the previous authoritarian regime and took her to the police station.
Several E-CAB members have alleged that Mukit was behind the incident. However, the allegation could not be independently verified.
An E-CAB member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Nowrin was a popular candidate and that the incident appeared to be an attempt to prevent her from contesting by delaying the collection of her nomination paper until the deadline passed.
The latest incident came a day after another candidate's representative alleged that he was assaulted and his nomination paper torn up at the E-CAB office on Tuesday, November 10.
However, nomination papers can be collected until November 12, 2026.
According to a written complaint sent by email to Dhanmondi police, the complainant, Mohammad Kawsar Jahan, head of HR and administration at Labaid Cancer Hospital, said he had collected a nomination paper on behalf of Labaid Group Managing Director Sakif Shamiim, who intends to contest the post of president.
He alleged that shortly after leaving the office at around 3:30pm, a group of people attacked and physically assaulted him before tearing up the nomination paper.
He described the incident as an attempt by an interested group to obstruct the upcoming 2026-28 election and undermine a democratic and competitive electoral process.
An E-CAB member alleged that the incident was linked to efforts to prevent Shamiim from contesting. He also claimed that Jannatul Shapla, wife of Narsingdi-5 MP Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bakul, intends to contest the presidential post.
The member further alleged that some individuals had informally formed a panel and were attempting to secure positions without facing competition. E-CAB has no officially announced panel for this year's election.
Police and election authorities' response
Contacted over Wednesday's incident, Dhanmondi police station Officer-in-Charge Imdadul Islam Tayeb said Nowrin had been kept at the station for her own safety.
"We have checked everything and found nothing against her. Considering the situation, we will release her shortly," he said.
Asked what measures E-CAB would take to ensure candidates' safety and an inclusive election, Election Committee Chairman Mustafiz said the committee was not responsible for such matters.
"Our responsibility is limited to preparing the voter list and organising the election. Who contests and who does not is not my concern. The E-CAB administrator will look into these matters," he said.
However, when contacted, E-CAB Administrator Sharif Mustafiz said the matter fell under the responsibility of the election commission chairman.
Neither the election committee chairman nor the administrator provided a clear account of what measures would be taken to prevent further incidents and ensure a safe environment for candidates.
