Ekip
26 December 2018•Update: 26 December 2018
By SM Najmus Sakib
DHAKA, Bangladesh
An official responsible for holding free and fair elections in Bangladesh on Wednesday expressed deep concern over "ongoing incidents of clashes and violence".
“I am worried over the growing number of incidents of violence before the general election [on Dec. 30],” Mahbub Talukder, the election commissioner said in a news conference in Dhaka.
He pointed that violence and election cannot go hand in hand -- in stark contrast to the views of his superior Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, who ruled out any such concerns.
Reading out a written statement, Talukder said: "We can't be stigmatized by holding a questionable election, if so; we can't represent Bangladesh on the world community with dignity."
In a separate news conference on Wednesday, the opposition alliance demanded that a neutral election commission head be appointed.
“Even the CEC is working and speaking in favor of ruling party and law enforces,” said Nazrul Islam Khan, senior official of the main opposition Bangladesh National Party.
Since the formal electoral campaign began on Dec. 10, Bangladesh has witnessed gross violence in different parts of the country.
It left hundreds of supporters, mostly backing the opposition alliance, injured. Dozens of opposition candidates were also attacked allegedly by ruling party supporters backed by the police forces.
On Monday, Bangladesh deployed thousands of soldiers across the country.
