The fear about possible violence and deterioration of law and order situation are growing in the minds of the people as the parliamentary election 2001 approaches with campaigns gaining momentum. Failure of the law enforcing agencies and the electoral enquiry committees in carrying out their responsibilities was blamed for the fear, besides widespread use of money and muscle power. Consequently, there could be low turn out of women and minority voters on the election day.

This has been revealed in the second weekly observation 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 7 through 13 September 2001. A total of 141 journalists are working across the country to prepare the weekly report for domestic and overseas consumption.

 

An analysis of the campaign characteristics during the week under review shows that there was an increase in the number of electoral meetings by 70 percent over the previous week. The percentages are 112 for Dhaka division, 82.79 for Chittagong division, 62 for Rajshahi division, 37.67 for Sylhet division, 27 for Barisal division and 25 for Khulna division.
Awami League (AL) is ahead of other political parties in holding of election meetings. The meetings organised by AL increased by 79 percent during the week over the previous week. The percentage was 61.52 for BNP, 70 for Islami Oikya Front and 103 for independent candidates. The exception was the 11-party alliance. The meetings held by the alliance fell by one percent during the week.
A sample survey shows that electoral expenditure of the candidates rose by 14 percent during the week. The spending by AL rose by 10 percent, while it was seven percent for the four-party alliance and 113 percent for Islami Oikya Front. A major portion of the money was spent in holding election meetings. The candidates are giving cash to the participants of meetings and processions, meaning they are hiring people to have a better show of strength. Besides, candidates are spending money entertaining people, and erecting colourful daises.
In many places candidates are taking advantage of the cable network as part of the campaign strategies. Candidates are also giving importance to door-to door campaign. Many candidates are also using the folk media, such as palagan and jatra, as media for campaign.
Candidates in different constituencies are reportedly trying to use the armed members of the outlawed Sarbahara Party to win the elections. In Patuakhali 3 constituency, Galachipa and Dashmina thanas were once the strongholds of Sarbahara Party. Police arrested two Sarbahara men from the area on September 10 although they had hardly any activities during the past five years. Police also arrested two other youths the same day on suspicion that they could harm the holding of elections in the area. The Sirajganj 3 constituency is also a safe haven for terrorists. These constituencies are very sensitive and could experience serious violence unless steps are taken to improve the law and order situation there.
Information collated show that the use of money would exceed all previous limits. In Rangpur 4 constituency, AL's Tipu Munshi, BNP's Rahimuddin Bharasha and Jatiya Party's Karimuddin have been spending huge amount of money in entertainment as well as donation for clubs and social institutions. In Netrokona 3 and 4 constituencies, BNP candidates spent Tk 1.5 lac in organising campaign processions. Similar allegations were made against some of the AL candidates. Some of the candidates who were refused nominations by the party are contesting as independent candidates with support from one or two top leaders of the party concerned. In many cases, they are also receiving support from the leaders and activists of other political parties. Many candidates are also using mosques, especially on Friday, to arouse the passion of the people. In some places, candidates are provoking communalism for tactical reasons. Women are also being used in the campaign to reach the female members of the voter families.
In Dhaka 1 and 6 constituencies, AL candidates Salman F Rahman and Saber Hossain Chowdhury have given campaign an institutional shape through recruiting paid campaigners for the purpose. Former AL Minister Syed Abul Hossain has hired artistes from Dhaka to campaign for him at his Madaripur-3 constituency. He is also using three speedboats, as he has to reach voters in many places across rivers.
In many places, candidates have distributed cassettes and displayed indecent posters in a bid to vilify opponents. Such trend has led to confrontations in many places. Cross border smuggling is reportedly playing a role in the frontier constituencies, such as Jessore-1.
Violation of electoral code of conduct is widespread in most areas in the country. The codes are being violated mostly in the use of microphone and setting up of election camp. In many places, candidates are distributing cash as donation to clubs and social organisations.

Exceptions in Electoral Campaigns

In Shariatpur 1 constituency, BNP leaders and workers are campaigning for independent candidate Hemayetullah Auranga despite the fact that BNP has its own candidate, Altaf Hossain from the area. Auranga was refused nomination by the Awami League.
In Nilphamari 4 constituency, female workers of Jamaat-i-Islami are going door to door to seek votes for four-party alliance candidate Advocate Latif. They are arguing that voting for Latif, a Jamaat leader, would help them to get mercy of Allah for whatever sins they have committed.
In Maulavibazar 1 constituency, four-party alliance candidate Ebadur Rahman Chowdhury has announced that he would allocate grants for the meritorious students of the area. He also announced the grant of Tk 20,000 each for getting a place in combined merit list of the public examination, Tk 10,000 for getting a place in female students' merit list and Tk 5,000 for obtaining first division in the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board examinations.
In Maulavibazar 2 constituency, four-party alliance candidate Shafiqur Rahman has engaged women dressed in veils to campaign for him. Rahman, a leader of Jamaat-i-Islami, has brought in these women from different areas of Sylhet division.
In Narail 2 constituency, both Awami League and four-party alliance candidates have resorted to personal attacks against top leaders of their rival groups to win sympathy of the voters. A poster published by AL candidate showed Khaleda Zia accompanying a foreigner holding a glass of whiskey. While leaflets and posters published by the four-party alliance made the attack on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman propagating stories about his personal life. A sticker distributed in the area also gave a 'statutory warning,' usually seen in the packets of cigarettes, saying Awami League is damaging for you and the country.
In Dhaka 6 constituency, Saber Hossain Chowdhury gave part-time jobs to university students a few months ago. They were trained and now engaged as campaign workers.
In Rangamati, the district administration sought assistance of the army, BDR, Ansars and police forces to ensure congenial atmosphere for elections as Jotirindra Bodhipriya Larma-led Parbatya Chattagram Janasanghati Samity called for resisting the elections through displaying posters around.

Snapshots of Campaign

• In Feni 2 constituency, local Awami League leaders and workers are campaigning for their candidate Zainal Abedin Hajari who is now absconding because of the cases filed against him by the caretaker administration.
• In Chandpur 1 constituency, BNP and four-party alliance candidate Ehsanul Huq Milon has alleged that his rival candidate from Awami League, Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, has been polluting the election atmosphere bringing in armed hoodlums from outside to campaign for him. He also alleged that a secret radio tower has also been set up at Alamgir's home.
• In Chandpur 3 constituency, both Awami League and four-party alliance candidates, Shamsul Huq Bhuiyan and GM Fazlul Huq, are violating electoral rules through exceeding the permissible limit of spending in campaign. Local people said they are trying to buy votes.
• In Manikganj 1 constituency, motorised boat is the only mode of transportation for election campaign, as small islands (char) constitute most parts of the area.
• In Patuakhali 1 constituency, former minister Keramat Ali Chowdhury, who was refused nomination by the BNP, has stunned the voters by getting nomination from the Jatiya Islami Oikya Front. The four-party candidate from the constituency is BNP leader Altaf Hossain Chowdhury.
• In Joypurhat 2 constituency, any campaign by JSD candidate was hardly seen.
• In Pabna-3 posters using vulgar and indecent language against the national leaders were displayed in different areas of Pabna by groups identifying themselves as 'Jagrata Janata,' 'Tauhidi Janata,' 'Sangrami Janata' and 'Sachetan Elakabashi'.
• In Gaibandha 3, 4 and 5 constituencies, the gathering of people in public places like rural markets has increased because of frequent election meetings and marches there.
• In Natore 3 and 4 constituencies, some of the candidates have published coloured posters with their photographs and been playing cassettes in public places using abusive and indecent languages against the top leaders of the political parties.
• In Natore 2 constituency, coloured stickers were distributed in favour of the BNP candidate.
• In Lalmonirhat 3 constituency, the contesting three independent candidates saw hardly any campaign.
• In Sirajganj 1 constituency, campaign workers of independent candidate Dr Mohammad Selim were frequently being prevented from campaigning by the rival candidate workers. Some of them even received threats on their life.
• In Sylhet 6 constituency, the members of the local unit of BNP have declared four-party alliance candidate Barrister MA Hasib 'persona-non-grata'. It was also propagated by local BNP that he was kidnapped and not seen in the area since September 11.
• In Sunamganj 4 and 5 constituencies, candidates are even going to hospital to visit patients as part of their campaign.
• In Jhenaidaha 1 and 2 constituencies, workers of both Awami League and BNP candidates are allegedly offering money to vote for them.
• Tension was prevailing in Dhaka 1 constituency following flexing of muscles by the workers of both BNP and Awami League. Campaign workers are distributing money among the women voters going door to door at night.
• It was alleged that in Dhaka 2 constituency, Awami League candidate Noor Ali tried to purchase the BNP workers offering money.
• In Dhaka 5 constituency, candidates are going door to door of the lower middle class & slum dwellers to seek votes instead of wasting time at the doors of the affluent class. The voters are seeking commitment on ensuring gas, water supply and improved roads for the areas from the candidates. There are allegations that candidates are distributing cash and even television among the clubs and local institutions. A large number of women are working for the two major candidates in the area in exchange of Tk 50 to 200 per day. The party workers are also getting money from the candidates.
• In Dhaka 10 constituency, candidates are using mosques and different social organisations to campaign for their candidature.
• In Maulavibazar 3, AL and BNP continued campaign marching on the streets with motorcycle and other vehicles.
• In Pirozpur 4 constituency, BNP candidate Shahidul Huq Jamal and Al candidate AK Fayezul Huq involved the local rich people in their campaign. Local people feared that money and outlawed Sarbahara Party would have influence in voting in the area.

In Dhaka 1 constituency, it was complained that the police administration was working in favour of Awami League. In line with the electoral code of conduct, the police dismantled the colourful gates erected by BNP, but refrained from doing the same in case of the other candidate from Awami League.
In Manikganj 2 constituency, the BNP and Awami League workers clashed on September 10 leaving two workers of AL's student front. The local police station in Shibalaya reportedly played a disappointing role in this regard. Local people said police were too late to go to the area.
In Rajbari 1 constituency, BNP and AL activists clashed several times between September 6 and 12, leaving 12 people injured and leading to general strike and enforcement of Section 144 by the administration. The role of police in that case was also disappointing.
In Naogaon 3 constituency, BNP workers ransacked the local Proshika office and assaulted its staff, alleging that they were campaigning for their opposing candidate.
In Rajshahi 4 constituency, 300 people of 1200 villages under Durgapur Upazilla have fled their homes as a result of terrorist activities allegedly by the cadres of Tajul Islam Faruq. BNP candidate Nadim Mostafa alleged that police took no steps to facilitate their return.
In Chuadanga 1 constituency, candidate of a major political party has reportedly concluded with deal with the outlawed extremist groups in the area, spreading fear among the voters about the outbreak of violence.
In Jhenaidaha 2 constituency, many wanted criminals have started campaigning for the Awami League and BNP candidates, spreading fear among the voters.

Vulnerable Centres

In Madaripur 1 constituency, all the polling centres are considered vulnerable, as candidates from both Awami League and BNP are strong in the area in terms of muscle power.
In Gaibandha, 42 centres in three constituencies have been identified as vulnerable, of which 17 are in Gaibandha 3, 15 in Gaibandha 4 and 10 in Gaibandha 5.
In Maulavibazar 3 constituency, the risky areas include Rajanagar Upazilla and a number of areas in Moulavibazar Sadar Upazilla. The areas experience frequent clashes between political rivals, with the role of police being unsatisfactory like many other areas.
In Dhaka 12 constituency, two thirds of the voting centres are considered risky. The number of most risky areas is 27. There are apprehensions of violence unless the identified terrorists are arrested before the elections.

Violation of Code of Conduct

In Gaibandha 1 constituency, candidates from different political parties are frequently violating the electoral code of conduct. During the week in review, AL candidate Syed Abul Hossain Khaja was sued and issued show cause notice for violating the rules. Most candidates in the areas are using microphone for campaigning all day long.
In Jessore 4, 5 and 6 constituencies, most candidates are giving funds to different clubs and social organisations despite the fact that this was banned by the electoral rules. The rules regarding use of microphone are not also being followed.
In Mymensingh, a number of complaints filed with the electoral probe body were left unsettled on the ground of time constraint. This has created discontent among the voters.
In Sirajganj 5 constituency, the candidates continued campaigning through displaying coloured posters and graffiti in violation of the code of conduct. None of the graffiti was removed.
In Bogra 6 constituency, complaints were lodged against BNP chief Khaleda Zia as well as AL candidate Mahbubul Alam Tukun by the local electoral probe body with the Election Commission for not carrying out the order to remove graffiti from the walls of the town by September 5. Only the candidate of Communist Party obeyed the order and removed all graffiti before the deadline.
In different constituencies of Rangpur, show cause notices were issued against eight candidates for displaying coloured posters and portrait as well as big symbols. The candidates are: Mustafizur Rahman of AL, Mashiur Rahman Ranga of JP, Habibun Nabi Sohel of BNP, Rahimuddin Bharasha of BNP, Karimuddin of JP and Tipu Munshi of AL. Only Mustafizur Rahman replied to the notice.
In Bagerhat 3 constituency, coloured posters of former AL minister Abdul Khaleq was not yet removed violating the code of conduct.
In Dhaka 3, 5 and 6 constituencies, both AL and BNP candidates were issued show cause notices for not removing coloured posters, graffiti and gates. Violation was reported also in the use of microphones.
In Dhaka 11 constituency, the BNP candidate was alerted against violation of the code of conduct.
In Jessore 3 constituency, all the candidates are violating the code of conduct through using microphone beyond the time permitted. BNP candidate is even using the crops of the farmers as the symbol of his party.

Minority Voters

In Sherpur 2 constituency, a Hindu family came under attack and six of them are now in a local hospital. There are nearly 70 Hindu families in the area who hold more than 500 votes. Most of them are fearful about attack by certain political group.
In Feni, the minority Hindu community was threatened of their lives if they try to cast their votes.
Terrorist groups who asked them not to go to the voting centres also threatened the Hindu voters in certain areas in Rajbari.
In Sirajganj 2 and 4 constituencies, certain political groups subjected the minority community to threats and intimidation. The groups are also engaged in provoking communalism in the area through shouting slogans and making personal attacks on certain candidates.
Certain political groups also subject Hindu voters in Jhalakathi 1 and Moulavibazar 3 to threats.

Women Voters

In Kurigram 1 constituency, the female voters of Berubari Union never cast their votes. The local administration is trying to bring them to the voting centre this time.
In Jhenaidaha 2 constituency, women of 12 villages in Surat Union are not being able to cast their votes for the past 40 years. The local influential people from voting prevent them. But this time they have promised to vote on intervention from the administration.
In Sirajganj 2 and 4 constituency, the fundamentalist groups are out to discourage the women to vote.

Chittagong Hill Tracts

In Bandarban, the local municipality chairman Ayub Chowdhury, a dissident Awami League leader, is trying to get the votes of Bengali-speaking settlers in the area speaking against the tribal peace treaty, which, he said, has affected the rights of the settlers.
In Khagrachhari, the four-party candidate and UPDF has appealed to the administration to ensure security for independent candidate Upendra Lal Chakma. The four-party also demanded removal of the nominated members of the Hill District Council to ensure elections under a free and fair atmosphere. The four-party alliance has alleged that they are using their position to campaign for a political party. In the hill region, the PCJSS is campaigning against the elections while the UPDF is trying to persuade the people in favour of elections.

Positive Developments

In Tangail 4 constituency, workers of different non-governmental organisation (NGO) have taken up a programme to create awareness among women voters.
In Barisal, different drama and cultural organisations are staging drama related to elections. One of these groups, Kheyali Natya Goshthi staged at least 7 street-dramas on September 10 in different areas of the constituency.

Misuse of Power

In Rajbari 1 constituency, the Awami League alleged that local BNP candidate, who is also the municipality chairman, is using the vehicle as well as staff of the institution for election campaign.

Government Activities

In Comilla, the local information department is arranging documentary show and distributing posters and leaflets to create awareness among the people about voting.
In Gaibandha, the district administration convened a meeting of the candidates of different constituencies and local political leaders on September 8 to ensure elections in a free and fair atmosphere. The meeting decided that all coloured posters; graffiti and indecent posters would be removed. Publication of cassettes using indecent and abusive language would be stopped.
A similar meeting was organised by the Narail district administration, where all the candidates promised to co-operate with district administration to help ensure polling in a free and fair atmosphere.