Sherpur Clash Prompts Administrative Withdrawals

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has ordered the withdrawal of two senior local officials in Sherpur following a fatal clash between rival political groups during an election-related programme. The officials concerned are Ashraful Alam, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Jhenaigati, and Nazmul Hasan, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jhenaigati Police Station. The decision was announced on Thursday at the Election Commission building by Akhtar Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat.

Addressing journalists, Akhtar Ahmed described the incident in Sherpur as “deeply condemnable”. He said that the election code of conduct clearly requires campaign activities, including the reading of election manifestos, to be carried out in a peaceful and cordial atmosphere. Unfortunately, he noted, the events in Jhenaigati represented a serious deviation from these principles. The Commission has already sought detailed reports from the Returning Officer and the relevant adjudication committee. Once those reports are received and reviewed, the Commission will determine whether further action is necessary. However, given what the EC considers an immediate failure to discharge administrative responsibilities, the Commission decided to withdraw the UNO and the OC without delay.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a formal notification transferring Ashraful Alam from his post as UNO of Jhenaigati and appointing him as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the ministry. According to the notification, he was instructed to relinquish his responsibilities in Jhenaigati within the same day. Failure to comply would result in him being treated as automatically released from duty the following day.

The violence occurred on Wednesday afternoon in the Sherpur–3 constituency, which covers Sreebardi and Jhenaigati. The clash broke out between activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami during an election manifesto reading programme organised by the Jhenaigati upazila administration. What reportedly began as a dispute over seating arrangements quickly escalated into physical confrontation. During the clash, Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of the Sreebardi upazila Jamaat-e-Islami unit, was critically injured and later died. He was also a lecturer at Fatehpur Fazil Madrasa. His death sparked widespread concern and renewed debate over election-time security and administrative preparedness.

In the same briefing, the Election Commission clarified several other election-related issues. On the inclusion of candidates in postal ballots for expatriate voters, Akhtar Ahmed said the Commission had decided that candidates whose nominations are upheld or reinstated by court orders up to 8 February 2026 would be included in postal ballots. Any reinstatement after that date would not be reflected in postal ballots, as there would be insufficient time to print, distribute and retrieve ballot papers.

The EC also elaborated on campaign banner regulations. According to the code of conduct, banners must not exceed a size of 10 feet by 4 feet. Whether a banner is displayed vertically or horizontally is irrelevant, provided it remains within the approved dimensions. Standard banners are required to be black and white; the use of colour or PVC materials will be treated as a violation, prompting action by Returning Officers. However, the use of colour is permitted on digital display boards.

Finally, Akhtar Ahmed clarified earlier remarks regarding international observers. He stated that no observers sponsored by the United States government would be visiting Bangladesh. Nevertheless, observers from independent and voluntary organisations based in the United States may attend the elections in their individual or organisational capacities.

Key Facts at a Glance

The episode has intensified scrutiny of administrative neutrality and preparedness during election periods, with the Election Commission reiterating its commitment to maintaining order and enforcing the code of conduct.