Keenly contested election on in Bangladesh; parties eye power despite concerns about violence
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Dhaka: In keenly watched elections of Bangladesh being held after 18 months since the overthrow of the previous Hasina Wajid regime, polling got underway for the 13th Parliamentary elections on Thursday.
While any forecast about any party or alliance winning the election is viewed as merely speculative, political parties in the fray have exuded confidence in forming a government in the violence-hit nation. At the same time there are parties who warn that fairness of the voting might be compromised.
The National Citizens Party (NCP), a member of the Jamaat–e–Islami–led 11-party alliance, expressed optimism about their rise to power, as per local media reports.
NCP convener Nahid Islam, candidate of the 11-party alliance in Dhaka-11 constituency, made the remarks after voting at AKM Rahmat Ullah University College Centre in Dhaka on Thursday morning.
Responding to a question about election expectations, he said, "If the election is fair and the people can vote without any problems, then we are on the verge of forming an 11-party coalition government."
Nahid also called on law enforcement and the administration to act against those who are attempting to exert physical force, Bangladesh's leading Bengali daily, Jugantor, reported.
Meanwhile, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) raised grave concern over the overall electoral environment in the country, highlighting violent incidents and the extensive use of money.
Addressing a media briefing on Wednesday, Gazi Ataur Rahman, senior joint secretary of IAB, claimed that political parties like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat have not abandoned the previous electoral culture, citing threats, intimidation and attacks in various constituencies. He stated that in Barguna-1 constituency, BNP men broke an IAB worker's leg, and in Barguna-2, Jamaat workers assaulted his party members.
"At least 10 of our activists are still hospitalised due to different attacks across the constituencies,” Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, quoted Rahman as saying.
IAB reportedly fielded 258 candidates across the country, none of whom has withdrawn from the electoral race.
"It's impossible that anyone expressed their support for any other candidates," Rahman stressed.
Bangladesh's elections are unfolding amid escalating political conflict, with critics warning of possible turmoil following the elections.
(Inputs from IANS with minor edits)