DOT Desk : An electioneering rally of Afroza Abbas, a BNP candidate for the December 30 general election, allegedly came under attack in Dhaka yesterday, reports The Daily Star.
Several people were injured in a stampede following the attack that took place in Madartek area around 12:30pm, said Nasir, personal secretary of Afroza Abbas, told The Daily Star. Some journalists were also injured in the attack, the official added.
Yesterday, BNP candidates, including party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and their supporters came under attack allegedly by ruling party men in several districts, with dozens injured. Also, two Jubo League and Awami League leaders were killed in Noakhali and Faridpur as violence broke out on the second day of election campaign.
Afroza Abbas, wife of BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas and also president of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal, is contesting from Dhaka-9 constituency in the national election with BNP ticket against incumbent lawmaker and Awami League leader Saber Hossain Chowdhury.
Amid call from all quarters for level playing field for all the political parties ahead of the upcoming general election, incidents of violence are taking place in different areas across the country centring electioneering activities, particularly those of the opposition parties’ candidates.
Election Commission has revised polls schedule, deferring the 11th general election by a week to December 30 – a decision taken on November 12.
Chief Election Commissioner has said that there is a congenial atmosphere in the country – echoing the words of the ruling party.
However, major opposition alliances like the Jatiya Oikyafront, which includes BNP, and the Bikalpa Dhara-led Juktafront have alleged that there is no level playing field for all the parties in the country ahead of the election.
However, until thus far, it seems that the coming parliamentary election will not be the “non-participatory election” that was its predecessor.
All the major political parties are gearing up to contest in the election and there has been no threats of a boycott or withdrawal unlike the last time.
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