Independent candidate Habiba Begum, contesting the Rajshahi-3 (Poba-Mohanpur) constituency, was assaulted outside a polling centre on Thursday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 3pm in front of the Nalukhola Government Primary School polling centre in Poba.
Habiba Begum, who is running with the football symbol, is a former vice-chairman of the Mohanpur Upazila Council and former women’s affairs secretary of the Mohanpur Upazila Krishak League.
A video of the assault shows Habiba speaking with people when suddenly a man slapped her forcefully, causing her to fall. After getting back on her feet, she was slapped again. Her associates intervened, and the attacker, along with another man, moved away from the scene.
Local residents identified the assailant as Rajab Ali, a former president of the BNP’s Ward No 1 in Poba’s Hariyan Union.
After the incident, Habiba, holding her two-year-old child, sat on a chair outside the polling centre. She explained that she had been interacting with voters and requesting support for the football symbol, noting that she had been unable to campaign earlier.
Habiba further claimed that Rajab Ali had obstructed her campaign and, during an argument, slapped her.
Habiba Begum’s chief election agent, Akbar Hossain, condemned the attack, saying, “It is completely unacceptable for a female candidate to be assaulted in this manner. We informed the presiding officer, but as the incident occurred outside the polling centre, he denied responsibility. We will also report this to the returning officer and demand justice.”
Following the assault, Habiba was taken to the hospital around 4:00 PM for treatment. She reported difficulty hearing and speaking as a result of the attack.
When contacted for comment, BNP leader Rajab Ali was unavailable at the scene. Habibur Rahman, joint convener of the BNP in Hariyan Union, confirmed that Rajab Ali is their leader but claimed not to know who was responsible for the incident. Several BNP leaders present at the polling station declined to provide Rajab Ali’s phone number.
