37 Eminent Citizens Call for Effective Measures to Curb Post-Election Violence
Thirty-seven distinguished citizens of the country have expressed deep concern over incidents of post-election violence in various districts and have called for immediate and effective measures to prevent further unrest. On behalf of civil society, they made this appeal to the Election Commission, the government, and all political parties.
They issued this call in a joint statement on Monday.
Describing the election as a rare event held without major conflict, the statement said that the 13th Parliamentary Election was conducted nationwide without large-scale violence or casualties resulting from clashes between rival candidates and their supporters. However, with apparent intent to overshadow this achievement, violent attacks and retaliatory incidents among activists and supporters of rival candidates occurred just one day after the election in several districts, including Bagerhat, Faridpur, Rangpur, Cumilla, Pirojpur, Natore, Jhalokathi, Hatiya in Noakhali, and Jhenaidah. These incidents reportedly resulted in one death and several injuries. In the hill district of Khagrachhari, there were allegations that fines were imposed as “punishment” for voting for a particular party. Although winning and other parties have reportedly instructed their activists to maintain peace and order.
Addressing law enforcement agencies, the statement said that the primary responsibility of the parties or candidates whose activists and supporters were involved in these undesirable incidents is to take effective steps to prevent their members from engaging in any form of violence. At the same time, they urged the interim government and all forces responsible for maintaining law and order particularly the police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel deployed in the field to increase their visible and effective activities. They strongly demanded impartial enforcement of the law to prevent any attempt to undermine citizens’ safety or violate the rights of any individual or group.
The statement further noted that, as previously announced, the army remains deployed in the field to safeguard law and order. It added that over the past several months—especially in the days leading up to the election and on election day—the army demonstrated commendable dedication and commitment in ensuring citizens’ security. They expressed hope that this continuity would be maintained and that necessary measures would be taken against the ongoing undesirable and violent incidents.
