Special Correspondent :
Tensions ramp up centering December 30 general election for growing politically motivated violence across the country.
At least 100 people were injured in pre-polls violence on Tuesday, causing anxiety among the voters.
Observers say flare-up of violence further could cause low voters turnout on the polling day undermining credibility of the ensuing election.
They said that the Election Commission (EC) must promote necessary conditions for holding peaceful, credible, inclusive and transparent election in which voters can participate enthusiastically in the electoral process.
“Tensions are mounting over the next general election amid growing pre-poll violence across the country,” former Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain told The New Nation yesterday.
He said, though violence has erupted across the country, the EC apparently failed to handle the situation.
“The EC must take stern action against those responsible for creating violence during election campaigns. It is necessary to ensure a peaceful election,” he said, adding, “People will lose their faith on the electoral system, if the Commission fails to hold a peaceful election.”
Opposition BNP alleged that their candidates and activists are facing frequent attacks and threats from pro-government supporters, while arrest and police harassment undermining their election prospects.
The opposition said that 19 of its candidates were attacked by ruling party-men and 14 candidates were arrested since 10 December.
The ruling party has denied the allegation saying the violence has not been one-way, as two of the party’s supporters have been killed in clashes.
“People are alarmed by the flare-up of the politically motivated election violence. Such violence is completely deplorable as it could result in low voter turnout and may threaten credibility of the election,” Munira Khan, President of the Fair Election Monitoring Alliance, told The New Nation.
She said the Commission should take a hardline approach to stop such violence to ensure free and transparent elections. “We want a peaceful election. The people of Bangladesh will pay a heavy price in case of disturbances during the election.”
“We remain extremely concerned about the ongoing pre-election violence all over the country. In this context, we are not sure about whether the election will be free and fair,” Rezwan Ahmed, a Dhaka University Student, told The New Nation.
