The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has expressed severe condemnation and deep concern regarding the casualties resulting from ongoing electoral violence across the country ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The organisation urged all political parties and candidates to shun the politics of vengeance and violence to ensure a fair and acceptable election.
According to HRSS, clashes, attacks, vandalism, and arson have been occurring centered around nominations. Data from the organisation and media reports over the last four months indicate that at least 981 people have been injured and five killed in 113 incidents.
Recently, clashes between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists in the Sherpur-3 constituency left over 100 people injured and one dead. Additionally, multiple fatalities have been reported following electoral violence in Mymensingh, Chittagong, and Dhaka.
The rights group further noted that female activists participating in election campaigns are being subjected to various forms of violence, including physical assault, harassment, and cyberbullying, which they described as contrary to democratic rights and individual freedoms.
Reflecting on the political climate, HRSS stated that several “unacceptable” national and local elections were held under the previous Awami League government.
During those periods, elections were marred by the politics of vengeance, obstruction of candidate campaigns, threats, vote rigging, the forced transition of voting rights, the occupation of polling centres, and “vote trading”.
The organisation observed that although various reforms and changes have occurred in the country since 5 August 2024, no visible change has been seen in the political arena, which remains a matter of deep concern.
HRSS maintained that aggressive political behaviour and hate speech are inciting violence. They demanded that those involved in these incidents be brought to justice with exemplary punishment.
Furthermore, the organisation called for increased activity from law enforcement agencies and the ensuring of a peaceful election through the political coexistence of all parties.
