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Published : 15 Jan 2026, 01:52 AM
The Election Commission (EC) says political parties are largely following the electoral code of conduct, but killings, explosions and mob violence ahead of the Feb 12 national election have raised concerns about security.
Government measures include issuing arms licences and armed guards for political leaders, but questions remain over how law enforcers will prevent covert attacks and mob terror.
Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam told bdnews24.com: “There is no concern. Everything is normal.”
With four weeks to go, the election process is midway through appeals after nomination scrutiny. Final candidates will be confirmed on Jan 20.
The killing of Inquilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi the day after the schedule announcement triggered anxiety.
Since then, factional clashes and sporadic violence have continued, though the commission under AMM Nasir Uddin insists it remains hopeful of a peaceful vote.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said parties’ cooperation is reassuring, but law and order must improve.
“We are somewhat concerned; killings are happening. Still, we are not discouraged. Inshallah, the environment will improve,” he said.
He said discussions had been held with the home ministry and heads of law-enforcing agencies to strengthen coordination.
The government has also announced rewards for the recovery of illegal arms.
Violence has continued in various forms.
After Hadi’s killing, mob attacks and arson targeted the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut and Udichi on Dec 18 and 19.
On Jan 8, BNP candidate SM Jilani of Gopalganj-3 publicly expressed fears for his life and said he would wear a bulletproof vest during campaigning, even displaying it to residents during a meeting.
A day earlier, former Dhaka north Swechchhasebak Dal general secretary Azizur Rahman Muchabbir was shot dead in the capital.
A Jamaat-e-Islami activist was killed in a shooting in Chattogram’s Fatikchhari on Jan 10.
An NCP leader was shot and his motorcycle snatched in Gazipur on Jan 8.
That same day, a hand-bomb explosion in Shariatpur’s Zajira killed three youths.
Police later recovered 45 hand bombs from the area, saying the blast occurred while bombs were being made.
Earlier incidents include explosions in Keraniganj on Dec 26 that injured four people, including women and children, and the recovery of bomb-making materials from a madrasa.
Mob violence has further deepened public anxiety.
On Dec 31, a lawyer was beaten to death in Dhaka’s Bashundhara following a traffic dispute.
On the same day, a trader was hacked and burnt to death in Shariatpur’s Damudya.
In Mymensingh’s Bhaluka, a man was lynched over alleged blasphemy on Dec 18, and his body was set on fire.
The next night in Lakshmipur, a child died after arsonists locked a BNP leader’s house and set it ablaze.
On Jan 5, a Jubo Dal leader was shot dead near his home in Chattogram’s Raozan.
Human rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) reported 401 incidents of political violence last year, leaving 102 dead and 4,744 injured.
Concerns also stem from unrecovered weapons looted during the 2024 Uprising.
Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 has recovered 236 arms, but 1,333 remain missing.
A Supreme Court lawyer has petitioned the High Court to suspend the election until all stolen arms are recovered.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said in Thakurgaon: “We are very worried. It is the government’s failure that they have not recovered the weapons.”
Former IGP Nurul Huda added that stability is less than expected and urged stronger monitoring to keep the election environment intact.
HOW MUCH CAN IMPROVE IN FOUR WEEKS?
Speaking to bdnews24.com on Monday, Nurul Huda said: “How much improvement can there be in one more month? Some progress is possible if manpower is increased. Priority must be given to recovering illegal weapons and bringing criminals under the law. A sense of risk will remain, as many of the weapons looted have yet to be recovered. Strong action is needed.”
From Feb 8, members of the armed forces and other law-enforcing agencies will be deployed in election areas for a week.
Executive magistrates will accompany them as mobile and striking forces.
The home ministry has already issued a notification outlining a series of directives, including the recovery of illegal arms and measures to ensure a peaceful environment.
At an event at the Border Guard Bangladesh Training Centre and College in Satkania, Chattogram, journalists on Wednesday asked Home Advisor Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury about the government’s security arrangements for the election.
He said: “The number of forces is being increased to deal with those who create disorder. No one will be allowed to disrupt the election. If everyone cooperates, the election will be held very peacefully.”
However, Nurul Huda stressed that visible progress requires immediate action.
“From Feb 8, operations must be intensified. Several restrictions should be imposed. Conditions need to be placed on motorcycle and vehicle movement. The challenge is to prevent disorder and the use of weapons,” he said.
Former secretary AKM Abdul Awal, drawing on his experience as a returning officer and assistant returning officer, said the true election atmosphere would become clear after Jan 22.
“So far, the situation is not bad. Once candidates begin campaigning, things will be clearer. Law and order is somewhat weak, with killings occurring almost daily. This needs to improve,” he said.
He added that although concerns about the election are being raised from various quarters, public confidence would return if law and order improves.
Despite concerns arising from the absence of the Awami League from the election, the former bureaucrat said such issues should not be overstated.
“This is not like previous elections, as a major party is not participating. There is some risk, but if the government is determined and law-enforcing agencies carry out their duties properly, there should be no major problem,” he said.
RELIEF AND UNEASE OVER CODE OF CONDUCT
Even before official campaigning begins, potential candidates are already busy with processions and other forms of electioneering.
However, despite the announcement of the election schedule, there has been little visible enforcement against violations of the code of conduct.
Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the current law and order and voiced optimism about further improvement.
“Comparatively, the situation is good at the moment, and we hope it will improve further,” he said.
“We held a meeting as recently as Sunday with focal points and representatives of the forces to enhance coordination. The Home Ministry has also issued a circular. The commission receives regular monitoring reports and has instructed that necessary action be taken accordingly.”
Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said the commission would remain strict on enforcing the code of conduct.
“We will be firm in ensuring compliance, and no violation will be tolerated,” he said. “Vigilance teams, monitoring teams, electoral inquiry committees, executive magistrates and the law and order coordination cell are already overseeing the situation.”
However, Jasmine Tuli, a member of the Election System Reform Commission, believes the Election Commission should have taken a tougher stance on enforcing the code since the schedule was announced.
The former additional secretary of the EC said that while political parties have shown restraint and largely complied with the code, the commission’s presence and messaging have not been sufficiently visible.
“Political parties are following the code to some extent and acting with restraint,” she said. “But the kind of strong ‘voice’ or clear ‘message’ that should have come from the commission has not been evident.”
Referring to the law and order situation in Dhaka, Chattogram and elsewhere, she warned that as rival candidates begin campaigning and public engagement increases, the risk of untoward incidents cannot be ruled out.
She said the Election Commission must adopt a firmer position.
“The law and order should be monitored daily, and regular coordination meetings should be held with law-enforcing agencies,” she said.
“In parliamentary elections, every candidate wants to win and is often desperate to do so,” she added.
Jasmine also stressed the need for the commission to ensure equal opportunity for all parties and candidates, saying a genuine level playing field must be maintained and candidates treated equally.
[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi]
