MM Rahmatullah: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has accused a section of local officials and political activists of violating electoral rules, intimidating voters and attacking its supporters ahead of the by-election in Thakurgaon-1, urging the Election Commission (EC) to deploy army personnel alongside police at polling centres to ensure a free, fair and credible vote.

A Jamaat delegation led by its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar met the Election Commission at its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Sunday afternoon and submitted nine written allegations along with photographs and other supporting evidence, according to the party.

Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner, Parwar said the alleged irregularities had raised serious concerns about the neutrality of the administration and the prospects of a peaceful election.

“We have called for an impartial investigation into the allegations, legal action against those responsible, protection of voters and the deployment of army personnel alongside police where necessary,” he said.

The party also demanded an assessment of the neutrality of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Khairul Islam, alleging that he had favoured the candidate bearing the BNP`s sheaf of paddy symbol. Jamaat called for appropriate action against the official if the allegations were substantiated.

Nine allegations submitted to EC: Parwar said a central Jamaat delegation visited Thakurgaon on October 24 to assess the electoral situation and gather information from local residents. Based on the findings, the party submitted nine specific allegations to the Chief Election Commissioner.

The allegations include the use of coloured posters bearing the sheaf of paddy symbol at different road intersections, campaigning through loudspeakers before the permitted time, and the alleged use of government doctors in medical camps providing free treatment to voters.

Jamaat also alleged that religious institutions were being used for electioneering, citing the placement of a sofa set in a mosque to promote the sheaf of paddy candidate. The party claimed that the incident had circulated widely on social media.

Another major allegation concerns intimidation of Hindu voters and government employees. Parwar claimed that threats and pressure were being used to create a climate of fear and influence voters` choices.

The party further accused the Thakurgaon Sadar UNO of working in favour of the sheaf of paddy candidate in exchange for money, attending a meeting at the candidate`s residence at night and engaging in partisan activities on his personal Facebook account. Jamaat said repeated complaints had not resulted in effective action.

The party described several incidents in which its activists were allegedly harassed, threatened or assaulted during election-related activities.

According to the allegations submitted to the EC, four female Jamaat workers were verbally abused and harassed by a teacher, Akkas Ali, in front of Adarsha School in Thakurgaon municipality on October 22 while conducting voter outreach.

In another incident on October 24, Jamaat alleged that a local BNP leader, Farhad Hossain, threatened female party worker Saima Akter at her residence in the Hajipara area, warning her against leaving home for election-related activities.

The party also alleged that a group of political activists attacked several people near the shop of Jamaat`s union secretary, Masud Rana, in Bargaon Union under Bhulli upazila. Three people, including Sultan, Babul and a van driver, were reportedly injured. Jamaat said the injured were receiving treatment at the 250-bed General Hospital.

Additional allegations concerned obstruction of Jamaat campaigners near Bengrol Government Primary School and the Kutpar Hat polling area in Raipur Union, as well as the removal of party banners near the Chaturakhor Government Primary School polling area in Akhanagar Union under Ruhia upazila.

Jamaat said it had submitted photographs of injured activists and other relevant materials to the Election Commission, seeking investigations and legal action against those responsible.

Explaining the demand for army deployment, Parwar questioned whether police alone could ensure a neutral electoral environment amid allegations of political pressure.

He argued that the impartiality and professionalism of law enforcement personnel were as important as the number of security personnel deployed. The party said the army`s presence could help strengthen public confidence and protect voters from intimidation.

Jamaat also urged the EC to exercise its constitutional authority effectively, stressing that merely receiving complaints would not be enough unless the allegations were properly investigated and corrective action taken.

Drawing a parallel with the controversial 1994 Magura by-election, Parwar warned that a disputed election could have far-reaching political consequences. He urged the commission to ensure that the Thakurgaon-1 by-election did not follow a similar path.

Despite expressing dissatisfaction with the electoral environment, Parwar said Jamaat had not decided to withdraw from the by-election. Its candidate would continue campaigning, he added, provided the authorities took effective steps to ensure a free, fair and impartial vote.

He said the Election Commission had listened to the delegation`s concerns and assured it that the issues would be considered, although Jamaat was not fully reassured by the meeting.

The party`s three principal demands are an impartial investigation into the alleged violations, legal action against those found responsible, and the deployment of army personnel alongside police where necessary. It has also called for a review of the neutrality of the concerned upazila administration.

The delegation included Assistant Secretary General and former lawmaker Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad, Central Executive Council member Mobarak Hossain, Dhaka North city unit Assistant Secretary Maulana Yasin Arafat, central election commission member Shariful Alam Jinnah and former senior secretary K. M. Kabirul Islam, among others.

The allegations have placed the spotlight on the Election Commission`s responsibility to investigate complaints, enforce electoral rules and ensure that all candidates can campaign without intimidation. The credibility of the by-election will depend in part on whether the concerns raised by the parties are addressed transparently and whether voters can cast their ballots freely and safely.