Field-level campaigning in the Dhaka-6 and Dhaka-13 constituencies has so far lacked energy, even four days after the Election Commission’s formal electioneering schedule began for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections.
Leaders and activists of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and its alliance partners contesting the two seats, have shown limited activity, distributing leaflets and handbills and holding small-scale rallies, a field visit by our correspondents on Sunday revealed.
Meanwhile, leaders of Jamaat-led alliance related religion to their electioneering activities, although the Election Commission’s code of conduct clearly prohibits the misuse of religious or ethnic sentiments for electoral gain.
While Jamaat held a public gathering in Dhaka-6 on Sunday, and BNP-nominated candidate Ishraque Hossain took part in an indoor discussion arranged as part of campaign activities, no activities by candidates from other parties or independent contenders were observed during the visit in this constituency.
In Dhaka-13, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mamunul Haque, member of the Jamaat-led alliance, organised a march and held views-exchange sessions at mosques after prayers, while supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Bobby Hajjaj were conducting campaigns through handing out leaflets and handbills. Bobby Hajjaj however, was absent.
In Jamaat’s gathering, Daiyus Salehin, ameer of the party’s Sutrapur thana unit, urged the gathering to support ‘Jamaat candidate Abdul Mannan and Islam’ by voting for his symbol in Dhaka-6, calling it part of their religious duty.
In Dhaka-13, during a views exchanging in a mosque, Mamunul Haque said that the national leadership needs change, and courageous Islamic scholars should enter parliament—those who can stand against injustice and corruption.
“I have long raised a strong voice against oppression on the streets; now I want to take that voice to the parliament. This will benefit the country and uphold the banner of Islam,” he said.
The speeches, relating religion in the polls campaign, were made although the Election Commission’s code of conduct clearly prohibited the misuse of religious or ethnic sentiments for electoral gain.
The code of conduct also bans creating, publishing or circulating false, misleading, biased, hateful, obscene or defamatory information – including attempts to mislead voters or damage the character or reputation of any candidate or individual.
Colonel (Rtd) Oli Ahmad, who was also present at the gathering, said that their rivals are “slaves” of Delhi, warning that supporting what he called “agents of Modi” would lead to oppression, urging the gathering to ensure the victory of candidates of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance to be free from the slavery.
BNP candidates in the two constituencies, the main rivals of Jamaat and its 11-party alliance, criticised such speeches, saying their opponents had stepped away from the broader unity formed during the July movement.
Speaking at the discussion on Sunday organised under the banner of Jatiyatabadi Ainjibibrinda (nationalist lawyers), Ishraque Hossain stressed that political rivalry should remain peaceful and within electoral bounds.
He criticised remarks by a Dhaka-17 candidate that he said hinted at violence, warning that while the BNP does not seek conflict, it would not back down if provoked.
He also urged voters to give him a chance, pledging not to act against public expectations.
Rashna Imam, spouse of Bobby Hajjaj, in a discussion on Saturday, collected by our correspondent from social media, said that using religious sentiment during campaigning activities to win support is an insult to the religion itself.
“What positive changes can we expect from those who use religion and avoid addressing women’s issues during campaigns?” she asked, urging voters to reject religion-based politics to protect democracy, while appealing to women for their votes by promising safety and a life of dignity.
