Jatiya Party leader Anisul Islam doubts fair election is possible

He raises the concern hours after his nomination for the Chattogram-5 seat was declared invalid

Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of a breakaway faction of the Jatiya Party, has raised concerns about a “fair” election, alleging that two of his proposers and supporters were kidnapped in broad daylight.

He made the allegation at an emergency press briefing held at his Gulshan residence on Saturday. A media statement was sent by the party following the press conference.

He alleged that his supporters and proposers were assaulted when they had gone to the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office in Chattogram to attend the scrutiny of nominations. The assault was carried out by the supporters of the BNP-nominated candidate Mir Helal, he said.

Mir Helal and Anisul Islam Mahmud submitted nomination papers for the Chattogram-5 constituency.

With the help from Kotwali Police, Anisul Islam Mahmud said his supporters managed to enter the DC office. But the supporters were “kidnapped” from in front of the office after police left, he alleged.

Police later rescued the supporters, he said.

Hours before the press conference, the nomination of Anisul Islam Mahmud was declared invalid by the Election Commission.

Anisul said his party activities have faced threats ever since he announced his plans to contest in the parliamentary polls scheduled to be held on Feb 12.

He said his ancestral home was set on fire on Dec 19.

The Jatiya Party-JP repeatedly threatened to pull out of the polls if a level playing field was not ensured.