No ‘Level Playing Field’ in Election Campaigns: Nahid Islam
National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has raised allegations that there is no “level playing field” in election campaigning, meaning all candidates do not have equal opportunities.
Nahid Islam said, “When a candidate is attacked, harassed, or their supporters/workers are obstructed… and the administration takes no action, then we cannot call it a level playing field.”
He made the remarks to journalists on Wednesday afternoon after campaigning in the Badda area of Dhaka. Later, he held public outreach with locals and sought support for a “Yes” vote in both the ballot and referendum under the ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol.
Pointing out disruptions in the election environment since Tuesday, he said that female workers of the 11-party alliance are being harassed and attacked across the country. Specifically, NCP candidates for the Dhaka-18 and Dhaka-8 constituencies have faced harassment and assaults.
Referring to the electoral opponent BNP, Nahid Islam stated that there is an attempt to dominate through coercion and create terrorist-like activities. Expressing concern over the upcoming election, he said that the party responsible for these actions is likely to escalate them further.
Nahid Islam added that the opposition has less public support. A public wave has formed in favor of the 11-party alliance. They fear this wave and are attempting to obstruct the election through intimidation and coercion.
He also alleged that complaints submitted to the Election Commission and law enforcement authorities have yielded no remedy.
Nahid Islam said, “We have repeatedly warned that if this situation continues, the election will become one-sided, and the true will of the people will not be reflected. If these actions are not stopped now, the proper environment for the election will no longer exist.”
Promising to resolve local issues and appeal to voters, the candidate for Dhaka-11 said, “We want genuine change in Bangladesh. Reform will take place. We aim to establish a state free of corruption and inequality.”
