BNP and Jamaat level accusations against each other at the Commission

As the thirteenth national parliamentary elections approach, political tensions in the Dhaka-15 constituency have escalated, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami lodging reciprocal complaints with the Election Commission. On Wednesday, 21 January, following the allocation of election symbols for Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-15 at the Election Training Institute (ETI) in Agargaon, Dhaka, leaders from both parties addressed the media, raising allegations of misconduct and intimidation.

BNP candidate Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton claimed that he and his delegation had adhered strictly to the election code of conduct, whereas a rival party had allegedly flouted it. “We arrived here with a team of five, but they brought more than ten people,” Milton asserted.

He further alleged that opposition campaigners had violated the code of conduct by sending personnel to women voters’ homes, requesting personal information such as NID numbers and mobile banking (bKash) details. “These are private data and must not be shared with outsiders. When our female volunteers asked about this, they were chased away. Later, the leaders returned with a group of 20–25 people to harass our staff,” Milton said.

According to the BNP, violent incidents occurred in Pirerbagh and Sheorapara, where Jamaat’s organised supporters allegedly assaulted two BNP workers after local residents questioned them. Milton appealed personally to police and military authorities to control the situation and urged the Election Commission (EC) to ensure a peaceful and fair voting process for all.

Responding to BNP’s allegations, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer countered that their female voters had been terrorised by a rival party, calling for such incidents not to recur. Jubayer dismissed BNP’s claims as “completely false,” adding that all campaign materials had been removed following the schedule announcement and that propaganda attempts were being made to undermine the ten-party alliance. He also alleged bias by law enforcement and said the matter had been brought to the EC’s attention.

Jubayer expressed hope for a terror-free and transparent election, emphasising that all candidates should participate freely, and that the results would reflect the will of the people through a fair vote. “Despite attacks on our party, including yesterday, we remain committed to a safe, humane, and democratic Bangladesh. The EC must ensure a level playing field, especially as the last three elections were marred by irregularities,” he concluded.

Table: Summary of Allegations – Dhaka-15 Constituency