National Citizens Party (NCP) candidate Jubairul Hasan Arif on Thursday raised concerns over the potential use of street gangs and underworld figures to influence the Chattogram -8 constituency election.
Speaking at an urgent press conference at a Muradpur restaurant in the city around 9pm, he called on the Election Commission and the administration to investigate the matter and take strict action.
NCP city and thana-level leaders and activists attended the briefing.
Arif said that despite assurances of a level playing field, the ground situation in Chattogram remained alarming. He highlighted that recent political killings in Chattogram-8 had further complicated the security scenario.
“If any political party seeks to conduct electoral activities with the support of criminal networks, street gangs, or underworld groups, it poses a threat not just to one constituency, but to the entire election process,” he warned.
Referring to comments circulating on social media regarding a BNP candidate, Arif added that any political leader maintaining links with criminal networks or using them for election activities endangers the safety of voters.
He cited the killing of a RAB member in Jungle Salimpur as an example, noting that no visible operations were conducted in the area afterwards, raising further concerns about the electoral environment.
Arif urged citizens, students, and youth to join in resisting any attempt to capture polling centres through intimidation or violence.
He also revealed that he had refused personal security guards provided for candidates, stating that the safety of his supporters and voters was more important than his own.
Warning that the situation could escalate if a level playing field is not ensured immediately, he called on the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies to act impartially and decisively.
