Ehsanul Haque Jasim :When only five days are in hand to run for campaign in three city corporation polls, most BNP-backed candidates are not in the field fearing arrest, insecurity and attack of the ruling party men. BNP leaders have alleged that the party-backed candidates could not come out in the field for electioneering due to repressive acts of the government and the attack by the ruling party men. Besides, they said, police are arresting the candidates, particularly the councillor aspirants, while the AL men are obstructing their candidates and supporters during electioneering. They are also worried about the safety of the party chief. BNP International Affairs Secretary Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon, who is now spokesperson of the party, on Monday said the government does not want a friendly atmosphere in the city polls. For this, it is harassing the BNP-backed candidates and their supporters. The candidates can’t come out in the field fearing arrest, he claimed. He also accused the Prime Minister and some other ministers of inflaming the polls environment by making ‘unguarded remarks’ about the BNP-backed candidates. Referring to PM’s remarks that Khaleda Zia is seeking vote for ‘Bus’ symbol after torching many buses, Ripon urged the Election Commission (EC) to examine whether the PM has violated the election code of conduct with such remarks.The candidates and their family members also claimed that they feel insecure during election campaign. Afroza Abbas, wife of BNP-backed mayor candidate of DSCC Mirza Abbas, alleged that the ruling party activists are creating obstacles during their campaigns. The AL men are also threatening their supporters and attacking residences. Police are also arresting them. ‘I also feel insecure. I want security of my life,” she said.Mirza Abbas is still out of the field. He is now in hiding. Like Mirza Abbas, a number of councillor candidates could not come out in the field till date in fear of arrest. Even some others have been arrested ahead of the submission of nomination papers. Of the BNP-backed councilor aspirants in 93 wards of the DSCC and DNCC, 54 face cases. The candidates, however, claim these cases were filed to harass them on political grounds. Some of them are not going to court for seeking bail, as they might be arrested if they go to the court.At least four councillor candidates have been arrested so far. Police on Monday arrested Osman Khan Shahjahan, a BNP-backed candidate of DNCC’s Ward No. 34. He is accused in a sabotage case file with Mohammadpur Police Satiation. Police on April 18 night arrested DSCC’s candidate of Ward No. 13 Kazi Hasibur Rahman. He was also accused in a case of sabotage. DNCC’s Ward No. 11 councillor aspirant Kawsar Ahmed, accused in five cases, was arrested on April 16 when he was in electioneering in Mirpur area. Police had arrested Saidur Rahman, a councillor aspirant for Ward No. 28 in the DNCC, on the premises of the returning officer’s office. Earlier on March 26, DB police arrested councillor candidate for Ward No 43 of the DSCC Farid Uddin Ahmed. He is now in jail. His sister Advocate Selina Parveen Shely and other family members are conducting election campaign on his behalf. Shely said, they are also facing threat and insecurity.Meanwhile, candidates who are not accused in any case are also in fear of arrest. They alleged that supporters and activists of the AL-backed candidates are threatening and assaulting their campaigners. “There is no case against me. But I can’t stay at home fearing arrest,” said Mostafizur Rahman Segun, a councillor candidate.Talking to The New Nation, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Shushashoner Jannya Nagorik (SHUJAN), said it is the responsibility of the government to ensure security of citizens. The attack on BNP chairperson’s motorcade and other provocative activities are increasing anxiety among the citizens which will only hamper the atmosphere of free and fair elections, he added. About arrest of the candidates, he said, although police have the right to arrest accused persons anytime, their announcement of arresting candidates during the polls campaign is nothing but a threat to the candidates. The EC has also the responsibility to ensure level-playing field for all.
