Violence part of political culture: EC Rafiqul Islam

Hossen Sohel of DOT
Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam yesterday said the ongoing violence among political parties ahead of the December 30 national election is nothing but a part of the political culture, reports The Daily Star.
“Stray incidents of violence are taking place ahead of the election but the situation has not yet taken into an alarming turn. It is a part of polls culture indeed,” he said. Rafiqul Islam came up with the  observation while talking to reporters before attending a workshop in Rajshahi city this morning.
While replying to a question, Rafiqul said, “Taking safety and security issues under consideration, women have been kept out of discharging the duties of presiding officers in the election”.
“We could’ve chosen them as presiding officers but we did not. Because, if chosen they will be shown disrespect and they would be kept separate from their families”.
The workshop was on “awareness raising on women’s participation- safety and security in elections”.
The Election Commission in association with the United Nations (UN) Women, UNDP and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation organised the workshop.
Two Jubo League and Awami League leaders were killed in Noakhali and Faridpur as violence broke out on December 11, the second day of election campaign.
On the other hand on December 11, 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, the party sources said.
Besides, opposition candidates from different constituencies recently were attacked across the country allegedly by the ruling party men during their electoral campaigns.