The increasing trend in poll-related violence across the country is alarming, to say the least. Many people were killed and several others injured in clashes between two rival political parties especially ruling Awami League (AL) factions over the union parishad (UP) elections in different places of the country.
It has been noticed over the past few days that in most cases, the clashes broke out between the supporters of two candidates. The supporters of AL nominated and the rebel candidates, especially those who failed to get party ticket to contest the UP elections, are getting locked into clashes those are later even turning into gunfight, leaving many people dead and other injured every day.
UP polls strengthen the pillars of democracy at the grassroots, increase scopes of accountability and thus augments development activities at marginal level.
The government must take necessary action
to ensure public safety at grassroots level before the
second and third phase of UP polls
Earlier, the Election Commission (EC) asked the deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers to maintain law and order during the UP elections. The government has also extended all-out cooperation to the EC in holding the local government elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
Besides, the law enforcement agencies have also been asked to perform their duties smoothly as the government provided necessary logistic support to ensure congenial atmosphere so that the UP polls could be held in a peaceful manner. But the fact is that no effective measures have been taken by law enforcement agencies so far to contain violence. Therefore, incidents of poll-related violence and deaths are on the rise in the country.
And it is very unfortunate that we continue witnessing the woes and wails of the people who are losing their near and dear ones in the poll-related violence. On Thursday two persons were killed and over 30 others were injured in a clash that broke out between two groups over establishing dominance in UP polls Kacharikandi village of Narsingdi. Besides, four people of a family were killed and several others injured as supporters of two UP member hopefuls in the Jagdal Union Parishad elections clashed in Magura Sadar upazila October 15. Apart from these, a serious clash between the supporters of AL nominated candidates and rebel candidates left at least four people killed and several dozens injured on September 20.
The second phase of elections to 848 UPs will be held on 11 November, while the seventh phase polls to 10 municipalities and Sirajganj-6 parliamentary by-polls on 02 November. Besides, the third phase elections to 1,700 UPs and 10 municipalities across the country will be held on November 28. Therefore, the government must take necessary action to keep the country’s law and order situation under control and ensure public safety at grassroots level before the second and third phase of UP polls.
