Jamaat alleges election code violations in eight districts

The majority of allegations are against the BNP

Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that the electoral code of conduct has been violated in eight districts during election campaigning.

The party said the incidents occurred between Thursday, when campaigning officially began, and Friday afternoon.

At a press conference on Friday evening, party spokesperson Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer said complaints have been received that the assistant returning officer of Narsingdi-4 (Monohardi) is showing bias in favour of a BNP candidate.

He said a formal complaint has already been submitted to the chief election commissioner.

He also alleged that the BNP activists in Gazipur-5 are threatening activists of the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance, and that workers are being forced to join the BNP processions.

Ehsanul added that the BNP activists in Gazipur-5 have allegedly used banners larger than the size permitted under election rules.

The general election and referendum are scheduled for Feb 12, with campaigning for both beginning on Thursday.

Jamaat said it is holding regular press conferences to highlight what it describes as “irregularities committed by rival candidates” during the campaign.

According to the party, the BNP activists are obstructing Jamaat’s female members during election campaigning in Sirajganj, carrying out attacks and vandalising vehicles.

The BNP activists are allegedly filming female Jamaat activists on phones, making provocative statements, and inciting “mobs” by calling out “thieves have been caught”.

Ehsanul said in Habiganj-3, images of dead political leaders other than the party chief are being used, which he said violates the electoral code of conduct.

He also alleged that Jamaat’s festoons have been burned in Jhenaidah-4.

At the press conference, Jamaat alleged that its female campaigners are being intimidated in Faridpur-1, while in Lakshmipur-3 (Bhabaniganj), BNP activists obstructed campaigning by a Jamaat candidate.

The party also alleged that Jamaat activist Khalilur Rahman Liton was assaulted during door-to-door campaigning in Cumilla-9.