Against the backdrop of run up for the coming general elections in Bangladesh scheduled for 1 October 2001, an uncertainty looms large on the issue of exercising voting rights by a section of the women and minority voters. There are allegations that members of different political parties are trying to create a situation to discourage these voters from going to the polling centres on the Election Day. This has been revealed in the first-weekly report on the election prepared by journalists working for Media Alliance for Election Monitoring in Bangladesh (MAEM). The components of MAEM are Bangladesh Centre for Development, Journalism and Communication (BCDJC), Bangladesh Manabadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF, a forum of journalist committed to protection of human rights). The report covers the period from 1 through 6 September 2001. A total of 141 journalists are working across the country to prepare the weekly report for domestic and overseas consumption.
Besides, uncertainty has been rated high in the Hill Districts of Chittagong where Parbatya Chattagram Janasanghati Samity, (PCJS) once popularly known as Shantibahini, has vowed to resist elections at any cost. PCJS has asked for a revision of the voter list in the context of Peace Agreement signed in December 1997. Proshit Bikash Khisha, chief of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), which opposes the Peace Agreement, is running for election from one of the three constituencies in the area.
Four major parties and Alliances have fielded candidates for three hundred constituencies. The contesting parties are, Bangladesh Awami League (AL) led by immediate past Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led Alliance of four parties steered by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, a faction of the Jatiya Party (JI) led by former President Ershad. The Jamaat-I-Isalami (JI) which is a component of the four party Alliance is contesting the election with symbol of their own.
There are allegations that candidates in different constituencies are violating the different prohibitions of the Code of Conduct, set by the Election Commission for holding elections in a free and fair way. The incidents of violations include use of microphones beyond predetermined hours, writing graffiti on walls, distribution of coloured leaflets, doling out cash in the form of subscription or donation and use of state or governmental facilities. The Electoral Inquiry Committees, set up in different districts to adjudicate complaints on violations of Code of Conduct, are not active enough. The Committees, so far, have issued a few show-cause notices on the violators of electoral rules. There are reports that candidates were offering gift items like cell phone, motorcycle and cassette recorders to win the hearts of the voters. In some areas, candidates have even distributed veil to the women voters.
Also, there are apprehensions that huge amount of unaccounted money would be spent during the election campaign, which would cross any past record. Candidates of the two major political parties -- Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- are reportedly leading the money game. The money game has been creating apprehension among the voters about the possibility of confrontation in the coming days.
Nevertheless, there are also reports of optimism. In some areas the district administration has undertaken special measures to ensure that the women were able to cast their votes and candidates are moving from door to door to seek votes.

Electoral campaign scenario:

(The following is a slice of election campaign scenario collated from reports by journalists and placed under divisional distribution. The division here refers to administrative set up, which comprises certain number of districts. There are six administrative divisions in the country.)

Dhaka Division

In Dhaka-1 constituency, AL candidate Salman F Rahman and BNP candidate Barrister Nazmul Huda gave cell phones and motorcycles to the voters in violation of the electoral rules. Despite the fact that Mr. Rahman and Mr. Huda are uncle and nephew, their supporters had also clashed with each other several times. Mediation by family members has failed to settle the disputes.
In Dhaka-2 constituency, AL candidate Noor Ali has distributed cash as subscription or donation to the local educational institutions, clubs and social organisations.
In Dhaka-5 constituency, AL candidate AKM Rahmatullah has engaged more than 300 women to campaign for him going door to door.
In Dhaka-7 constituency, Mayor of Dhaka City Corporation Mohammad Hanif is campaigning for his son who is contesting on an AL ticket while his opponent Sadeq Hossain Khoka of BNP has been joined by his wife in the campaign trail.
In Dhaka-9 constituency, AL candidate Mokbul Hossain and BNP candidate Khandaker Mahubuddin are distributing coloured stickers and booklets, containing success stories of their respective parties.
In Dhaka-10 constituency, AL candidate HBM Iqbal and BNP candidate Abdul Mannan have set up more than stipulated number of electoral offices in violation of the code of conduct.
In Dhaka-12 constituency, AL candidate Murad Jong has been visiting different weekly markets to campaign for himself.
In Manikganj-3 constituency, the AL candidate has distributed nearly 400 cassettes, containing songs seeking votes for him, among the voters. Both AL and BNP candidates in the area have promised donation for different local institutions ahead of the elections.
In Madaripur-3 constituency, AL candidate has gifted motorbikes to the chairmen of different local government bodies.

Chittagong Division

In Chittagong-14 constituency, BNP candidate Morshed Khan has been playing sirens fitted to an automobile to attract the attention of the voters.

Rajshahi Division

In Kurigram-2 constituency, the AL candidate has distributed a leaflet containing information about Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) candidate Tajul Islam's alleged collaboration with the Pakistani forces during the 1971 war of independence. The JP has distributed several thousand copies of a report on the alleged corruption of AL candidate ASMA Amin, a former general.
In Naogaon-3 constituency, AL candidate Akram Hossain Chowdhury has promised to bring crores of taka for the area if elected an MP.
In Nilphamarai-3 constituency posters showing indecent photographs of Khaleda Zia, Golam Azam and Hussain Mohammad Ershad have been distributed. In Nilphamari 3 and 4 constituencies, the 11-party Alliance candidates were organising video and audio shows to campaign for their candidacy.
In Nilphamari-2 constituency, JP (E) candidate Jainal Abedin has been distributing Taka10 each to the rickshawpullers everyday to shout the name of JP's election symbol, plough, while they are on the roads.
In Dinajpur-5 constituency, AL candidate has distributed booklets containing the development activities carried out in the area during the past five years of Awami League rule.
In Rangpur -4 constituency, candidates from AL, BNP and JP have distributed money among supporters and voters and promised to give more in the coming days. In Rangpur 5 and 6 constituencies, AL and JP candidates are giving cash to different clubs, mosques and other social organisations as subscription or donation.

Khulna Division

In Narail -2 constituency, BNP activists assaulted their party leader Awal Mondal for not getting a share of the money distributed by Four-Party Alliance candidate Mufty Moulana Shahidul Islam.
In Meherpur district, BNP and JP candidates displayed flags, containing party symbol, and erected colourful gates all around the town to campaign for their candidacy. Electoral probe body issued show cause notices on the candidates, but the situation did not change. It was alleged that the concerned officer-in-charge of the local police station acted in favour of a particular party, prompting BNP activists to bring out protest march in the town.
In Chuadanga-1 constituency, it has been alleged that Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) Chairman allowed the use of a state-owned motorcycle for campaigning in favour of the local AL candidate.

Barisal Division

A private force in Lalmohan area, called Moumachi (meaning bees) has allegedly unleashed a reign of terror in Bhola-3 constituency ransacking AL's election offices and knifing supporters.

Sylhet Division

In Moulavibazar -3 constituency, supporters of AL and BNP candidates are out to ensure victory of their respective parties at any cost, leading to a situation of confrontation at any time.

Women Voters:

Dhaka Division

In Netrokona-3 and 4 constituencies, a section of women voters never cast their votes due to religious superstition.
In Gopalganj-2 constituency, women had been refraining from casting their votes since 1967 following a clash between two local candidates the same year leading to humiliation of some of the women.

Chittagong Division

In Laxmipur 2 constituency, AL workers are discouraging women to cast their votes, lest they would vote for BNP Chief Khaleda Zia who is a woman and contesting from the same constituency.

Rajshahi Division

In Kurigram 1 constituency, women in Berubari area, an enclave situated inside India has been refraining from casting their votes for decades because of a religious sermon issued before the liberation of the country.
In different places of Sirajganj, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and other fundamentalist organisations are discouraging women to cast their votes on religious ground.
In Pabna 1 constituency, local AL candidate has alleged that JI candidate Matiur Rahman Nizami has engaged 200 women to visit door to door of the people, organise religious lecture session and seek votes for Nizami.

Barisal Division

In Patuakhali 1 constituency, women in Pangashia area under Dumani Thana have been refraining from casting their votes for nearly 50 years following violence over their voting between 1952-56. According to local people, supporters of one of the candidates in the local government body (Union Parishad) elections chased the Hindu women voters when they were brought to the polling centre by a Hindu candidate for voting. Local Muslim religious leader Moulana Hatem Ali asked the women not to cast their votes after the incident to avoid violence. Three women were elected members in the reserved seats of the Union Parishad, but only one of them cast her vote and all of them were elected with votes from the men.
In Pirozpur 1 constituency, the student wing of JI distributed veil among the Muslim women. JI leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi is the four-party candidate in the constituency.

Minority Voters:

Dhaka Division

In Netrokona 1 constituency, a major section of the minority community, mainly Hindus, is under threat from different quarters.

Rajshahi Division

In Sirajganj, the minority community is under threat by the BNP and JI candidates who fear they would vote against them.

Khulna Division

In Jessore 1, 2 and 3 constituencies, terrorists are going door to door of the minority community at night and asking them not to cast their votes.
In Sinduria village of Kutubpur area under Chuadanga district, the minority community cannot cast their votes because of threats by certain quarters. The minority voters in Kalidaspur area under Alamdanga Thana of the same district also cannot cast their votes to the candidates of their choice.

Sylhet Division

In Moulvibazar 3 constituency, some members of the minority community complained that they were feeling insecure because of the upcoming elections.

Government Initiatives:

Dhaka Division

The Mass Communication Department in Narayanganj has been trying to create awareness among the voters through playing audio cassettes of electoral songs in the area.

Rajshahi Division

To maintain law and order in Gaibandha district, the government officials had separate meetings with leaders of political parties and social organisations at district and Thana levels.
In Rajshahi 3 constituency, the returning officer was finding it difficult to manage things due to lack of adequate manpower.
In Kurigram 1 constituency, the district administration has undertaken special measures to encourage people to cast their votes.

Tidbits:

Dhaka Division

In Jamalpur 1 constituency, BNP candidate Rashiduzzaman Millat at a press conference condemned the privately owned Ekushey Television for telecasting "untrue" news that he defaulted on bank loans.
In Sherpur 2 constituency, AL activists detained police personnel at a local market accusing them of being biased when they went there for an investigation into violence.

Chittagong Division

In the Feni 2 and 3 constituencies, candidates were not seen very active in campaigning as yet. There were hardly any meetings or marches, or any posters seen propagating for the candidates.
In the Comilla 3 constituency, BNP candidate Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad and AL candidate Yussuf Abdullah Harun help 10 others each to file nominations, not to contest the polls, but to facilitate way to ensure the presence of increased number of agents in the voting centres. The highest 30 candidates filed nominations from the constituency.
In Noakhali 2 constituency, BNP candidate MA Hashem has distributed cassette recorders among the party workers. Rooms of two residential hotels have been booked to facilitate accommodation of workers until the elections. There are also complaints of distribution of cash among the workers by the candidate. Besides, modern telecommunication gadgets have been installed at Hashem's residence called White House.

Sylhet Division

In Habiganj 3 constituency, four-party candidate Abu Leis Mohammad Mobin Chowdhury has demanded deployment of army in all voting centers in the district.

Use of government-owned facilities:

It has been alleged that Mayor of the Rajshahi City Corporation and a BNP candidate Mizanur Rahman Minu and former Minister Jinnatunnesa Talukder, an AL candidate, of Rajshahi 2 and 3 constituency respectively, have been using state-owned vehicles and state employees to campaign for him. The allegation has been lodged with the Election Commission.

Tribal people:

Chief of the Parbatya Chattagram Janasanghati Samity, Jotirindra Bodhipriya Larma (Santu Larma), has vowed to resist the elections at any cost. Proshit Bikash Khisha, chief of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), which opposes the tribal peace treaty, is, however, a candidate from a parliamentary constituency in the area.

Outlawed Sarbahara Party:

In Pirozpur 4 constituency, candidates from both AL and BNP are trying to get support from the outlawed Sarbahara Party, a splinter of an extremist party, to win the elections.