The law and order situation continued to deteriorate in the country raising fear about violence on the October 1 election day and during post-election period. Large numbers of voting centres in most of the constituencies have been categorised by the administration as vulnerable to violence. The candidates have also identified certain voting centres as vulnerable for being the stronghold of their rival candidates and seeking increased security measures to ensure fair elections.
This has been unveiled in the third weekly observation report on the ensuing national 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 14 through 21 September 2001. A total of 141 journalists are working across the country to prepare the weekly report for domestic and overseas consumption.
The journalists involved in the reporting, however, felt 81 percent of the administrative officers are properly carrying out their responsibilities as far as election is concerned. In case of the law enforcing agencies the percentage was put at 85.
Incidents of obstructing rival candidates from carrying out campaigns were rampant in many places in the country during the week in review. Posters with indecent comments against top leaders of the two major political parties -- Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- were also seen displayed in many places despite clear directives by the Election Commission against such practices.
According to information available, during the week under reporting AL organised the highest number of 2,638 campaign meetings in the country, followed by BNP-led four-party Alliance with 2,567,Islami Oikya Front 1,298 and 11-Party Alliance 484. The independent candidates arranged a total of 416 meetings during this period. During the previous week (7-13 September) AL had 1879 electoral meetings, BNP-led Four Party Alliance 1746, Islami Oikya Front 822, 11-Party Alliance174 and Independent candidates 308.
Some of the candidates have sought deployment of army and BDR in the areas they consider vulnerable to violence to minimise the risk of violence. However, the 11-party alliance claimed deployment of army would not ensure free and fair elections. The use of black money has to be stopped to ensure fair polls. Violation of electoral code of conduct was frequent in most constituencies in the country.
The situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) also deteriorated, as the Parbatya Chattagram Janasanghati Samity has decided to resist election and has announced two-day continuous general strike (otherwise known as hartal) in the area scheduled for the election day and the day after. Allegations have been raised against some NGOs for conducting partisan campaigns.
Minority community in some constituencies is facing uncertainties in exercising their voting rights. The constituencies are: Barisal 1, Bhola 1 & 2, Pirozpur 1, Chittagong 6&7, Comilla 12,Jhalakati 1, Dhaka 3, Dhaka 11, Dhaka 12, Dhaka 7, Bagerhat 3, Dinajpur 2, Lalmanirhat 3, Netrakona 1, Kishoreganj 2, Madaripur-2, Barguna 2, Jhinaidah 3 & 4 and Rajbari 2.

Law and Order Situation

In Dhaka 2 constituency, the BNP and AL activists clashed with each other after a boat carrying BNP workers was hit by another one carrying AL workers. The incident left six people injured. Two other BNP workers were injured in another clash between the two parties in Kashimpur area. BNP alleged that the local police station refused to entry a case filed by BNP leaders.
In Dhaka 11 constituency, the number of voting centres vulnerable to violence has been estimated at 20. One of the voting centres in ward numbered 12 is considered the most vulnerable.
In Feni 1 constituency, BNP workers are reportedly brandishing firearms openly and are engaged in extortion. But the police administration is taking no action against such activities.
In Feni 3 constituency, seven people were killed since the Caretaker Government took office in mid-July. Local AL candidate has complained against the UNO and OC of local police station for reportedly being bias.
In Narail 1 constituency, 19 voting centres under Kalia upazilla have been marked vulnerable to violence, nine of them being considered most vulnerable.
In Bramhanbaria 3 constituency, four-party candidate Harun Al Rashid filed an application to the Chief Election Commission on 16 September seeking deployment of army and BDR in 42 voting centres in sadar upazilla, identifying those as vulnerable to violence.
Similar appeals were made by four-party candidates in Bramhanbaria 4, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Bramhanbaria 5, Kazi Anwar Hossain. Mushfiqur Rahman identified 21 voting centres in Sadar, Kashba and Akhaura upazillas as vulnerable to violence. While Anwar Hossain said all the voting centres in Ratanpur and Satmora Unions are vulnerable to violence. The voting centres in Halizganj and Bidyakut Unios are also vulnerable.
In Bramhanbaria 6 constituency, lack of a transport system in the area having numerous small islands (chars) has made the voting centres vulnerable to violence. Local people are fearful about a free and fair election in the area.
In Khagrachhari, the hill people in different areas, especially the tribal refugees, are worried about possible violence that could be sparked by the move to resist voting by a section of former tribal rebels. Many people have started leaving their homes and taking refuge in jungles. A total of 157 voting centres in the district were identified as vulnerable to violence, six of them extremely vulnerable. The law enforcing agencies were blamed for negligence and lack of co-ordination. The chief of the villages Naraichhari and Bhuluchari under Dighinala upazilla Bipin Bihari (62) was shot dead on September 14 at mid-night by a group of armed hoodlums. It was learnt that he was killed by the JSS for getting involved in the election process in favour of the UPDF. They had also beaten up the residents of their rival village, fired 20-30 rounds of gunshots and set the residence of Shantimoy Chakma on fire the following day. The JSS activists also attacked the UPDF workers at Panchari and ransacked the dais erected for election meeting on September 16. Police later brought the situation under control. Meanwhile, at least one person was killed and six others injured in armed attack on tribal people who were returning from an election meeting in Baraitoly area in the district. A total of 87 voting centres in Mohalchari upazilla are considered vulnerable to violence, six of them being most vulnerable.
In Chittagong 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14 constituencies, 82 percent of the voting centres were considered vulnerable to violence by the local district administration. Local people fear violence on the election day following a series of clashes that took place between the supporters of the candidates during the past few weeks.
The district administration has identified 82 of 130 voting centres in Cox's Bazar 3 and 42 of 68 voting centres in Cox's Bazar 4 constituency as vulnerable to violence.
In Bandarban, 107 voting centres out of the total 144 were identified by the local administration as vulnerable. The helicopters of the Air Force were planned to be used to keep peace in 14 of the most vulnerable centres.
In Comilla, 80 percent of the voting centres were identified as vulnerable to violence. The constituency-wise breakdown of the vulnerable voting centres are as follows: 39 in Comilla 1, 95 in Comilla 2, 94 in Comilla 3, 65 in Comilla 4, 70 in Comilla 5, 48 in Comilla 6, 43 in Comilla 7, 55 in Comilla 8, 63 in Comilla 10, 39 in Comilla 11 and 62 in Comilla 12 constituency.
In Barguna 2 constituency, 15 voting centres were identified as vulnerable to violence.
In Bhola, incidents of violence were rampant during the period of Caretaker Government. The town experiences blackout during all the incidents of violence, spreading fear among the people. People are fearful about three terrorist groups active in the district. There is also question about the neutrality of the OC of Lalmohan police station. It was reported that local terrorist Bhutto snatched away a weapon from the police during a clash in the area.
In Bhola 2 constituency, 230 of 359 voting centres are vulnerable to violence.
In Barguna 1, 2 and 3 constituencies, 74 voting centres in Baitagi, Patharghata and Taltoly areas were identified by the administration as vulnerable to violence.
In Maulavibazar 3 constituency, the areas vulnerable to violence are Rajanagar upazilla, Kagabala, Kanakpur, Bhuddhimantapur, Bhadgaon, Baharmardan and Balikandi areas of the Sadar upazilla. The areas are crippled by frequent violence and the role of police was also questionable. It was alleged that huge amount of arms and ammunition are in the hands of the terrorists in these areas.
In Habiganj 4 constituency, 50 percent of the 574 voting centres were identified as vulnerable to violence. The local deputy commissioner, however, put the number at 200. A number of Unions under Chunarughat and Madhabpur upazillas were identified as vulnerable. In Habiganj 3, several areas including the Sadar upazilla were considered vulnerable.
In Chuadanga 1 constituency, the role of law enforcing agencies was not satisfactory. 85 of the 136 voting centres in the constituency were identified as vulnerable to violence, 37 of them being most vulnerable. Kalidaspur, Baradi, Khashkarra, Kadimpur, Kumari, Bhangbaria and Gangni are among the most vulnerable areas. It was reported that the local terrorist forces -- Laltu Bahini and Siraj Bahini -- are flexing muscles in their respective areas to influence the elections.
Allegation of negligence was also labelled against the law enforcing agencies in Chuadanga 2 constituency, where 80 of the 139 voting centres were identified as vulnerable to violence. It was reported that the outlawed Biplabi Communist Party, Purba Banglar Communist Party and the Tiger Bahini (force) were creating threats to holding of free and fair polls in the area.
In Jhenaidaha 1 constituency, the law enforcing agencies could hardly recover in illegal weapons despite the fact that there are huge stocks of such weapons in the area. Local people are fearful of the use of these weapons during the elections.
In Rajshahi 2 constituency, JP (E) candidate Mostak Ahmed Labu made new by attacking the local daily Sonali Sangbad office and threatening its editor of death. The incident followed a "printing mistake" that led to publication of a news headlined "Call to vote for boat by Labu." The editor regretted the mistake, but yet had to face the attack.
In Rajshahi 5 constituency, the number of most vulnerable voting centres is 78. But the local administration refused to give names of the centres vulnerable to violence.
In Joypurhat, 59 voting centres were identified as vulnerable to violence. The local police and administration refused to give names of the centres.
In Bogra 1 constituency, terrorist groups asked the people in char (small island) areas not to cast their vote, warning them of life.
In Rangpur 5 constituency, the AL and JP activists clashed each other on September 12, leaving 100 people injured, including local AL candidate HN Ashikur Rahman, police and party activists.
In Lalmonirhat 3 constituency, AL and BNP activists clashed with each other in Khuniagach, Barobari and Panchagram areas, creating fear among the voters about further violence during the elections.
In Sirajganj 1, 3, 5 and 6 constituencies, the turn out of voters could be lower unless steps are taken to curb violence that had recently left two activists of AL student front dead. Emergence of a group of masked terrorists wearing shorts has created fear among the voters about further violence. All the major parties -- AL, BNP and JI -- had been obstructing campaigns by the opponents in their respective strongholds.
In Sirajganj 2, 4 and 7 constituencies, 102 voting centres were identified as vulnerable to violence. The most vulnerable centres are Ratankandi Union of Sirajganj 2, Pangama and Uthunia Unions of Sirajganj 4, and Koijuri and Gala Unions of Sirajganj 7.
In Naogaon 4 constituency, 20 voting centres were identified as vulnerable to violence.
In Gazipur 1, 2 and 3 constituencies, 293 out of 534 voting centres were identified as vulnerable to violence.
In Munshiganj 3 constituency, 25 of the 88 voting centres are vulnerable to violence and 23 extremely vulnerable. These areas are Betkaar Char, Shuchani and some areas of Mirkadim. While in Munshiganj 4 constituency, 30 of the 88 voting centres have been marked vulnerable.
In Shariatpur 1 constituency, the houses of AL candidate Mobarak Ali Sikder, independent candidate Enamul Master and former MP Mojibur Rahman were ransacked and looted by terrorists. Clashes between rival groups took place in Kazirhat and Rupbaburhat areas on September 16 and 17. Role of the law enforcing agencies was not satisfactory.
In Netrokona 1 constituency, incidents of violence have been on the rise as the election approaches.
The numbers of voting centres vulnerable to violence are 17 in Jamalpur 1 constituency, 111 in Jamalpur 2, 18 in Jamalpur 3, 16 in Jamalpur 4 and 19 in Jamalpur 5 constituency.
In Manikganj 3 constituency, campaigns by AL and BNP candidates are often leading to violence.
In Kishoreganj 1 constituency, the voting centres in char (small island) areas were identified as vulnerable to violence.
In Mymensingh 10 constituency, clashes between AL and BNP activists had been taking place almost everyday. A case was filed against 70 people, including former AL MP Altaf Hossain Golondaz following the killing of BNP worker Akkas Ali. Another case was filed against 14 people, including BNP leader Jasimuddin.
In Chandpur 1 constituency witnessed a general strike (hartal) by AL on 15 September following a clash between AL and BNP activists during former premier Khaleda Zia's visit to the area. The clashes left 50-60 people injured, while 15 others were injured during the hartal.
In Rajbari 2 constituency, Bahadurpur, Hasbaspur, Machhpara, Sharia, Kolimahal and Mugipatta Unions under Pangsha upazilla were identified as vulnerable to violence. The areas are considered safe haven for the outlawed Sarbahara Party.

Election campaign

• In Dhaka 3 constituency, candidates from two major political parties are reportedly distributing huge amount of money to the members of the low-income-group to buy votes. It was learnt that one-third of the 400,000 voters is not local and that competition was high to tap these floating voters. The number of election offices of the political parties went beyond the permissible limit.
• In Dhaka 4, the local people feel that JP would play a significant role in influencing the results of the elections in the constituency. Both AL and BNP candidates are using cable operators to campaign their candidacy.
• In Dhaka 7 constituency, it was alleged that the community centre of Dhaka City Corporation was used in the campaign for AL candidate. Both AL and BNP candidates are using cable operators for their campaign. City Mayor Mohammad Hanif is seeking votes for his son Sayeed Khokon who is the AL candidate from the constituency.
• In Dhaka 8 constituency, both AL and BNP candidates Haji Mohammad Selim and Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu continued their campaigns violating the code of conduct despite being warned by the Election Commission. They were warned by the EC for displaying coloured posters and banners.
• In Dhaka 9 constituency, AL candidate Alhaj Mokbul Hossain's wife is going door to door of the local residents to seek vote for her husband. Mokbul's prime rival Khandakar Mahbubuddin is lagging behind so far election campaign is concerned.
• In Dhaka 10 constituency, AL candidate HBM Iqbal has formed groups of campaigners comprising two young women and a man to go door to door for seeking votes for him. They are distributing leaflets and roses among the voters. BNP candidate MA Mannan has also involved women to seek vote for him and distribute roses among the voters. Female workers of JI are also campaigning for Mannan.
• In Dhaka 11 constituency, both AL and BNP have published leaflets and posters, making personal attack on the chiefs of their rival parties. AL activists are concentrating more on slums than the apartments to seek for their candidate.
• In Dhaka 12 constituency, candidates from both AL and BNP have been spending more than Taka 100,000 per day to run the election camps. They are also spending money Taka 5,000 to erect a dais, Taka 1,000 to rent a truck, Taka 500 to hire a baby taxi and Taka 200 each for a rickshaw. Both the parties have been hiring 30 rickshaws everyday to campaign for their candidates.
• In Chuadanga 2 constituency, both AL and BNP have been violating electoral code of conduct by staging frequent meetings without permission from the authorities concerned.
• In Barisal 1, 2 and 3 constituencies, AL and BNP workers continued shouting indecent slogans to vilify their political opponents.
• In Munshiganj 3 and 4 constituencies, AL and BNP candidates gifted mobile phones to some of their workers to encourage intensified campaign.
• In Rangpur 4 constituency, AL, BNP and JP have set up several thousand election camps violating the electoral code of conduct. The number of camps of the JP and BNP in Haragach area alone is more than 1,000. The cost of running each of the camps is Taka 300-500 per day.
• In Laxmipur 3 constituency, although late, JI has finally started campaigning for its partner in the four-party, the BNP.
• In Bramhanbaria 1, 2 and 3 constituencies, up to Taka 1,000 is being spent everyday for entertaining party activists running election camps. They are using microphones to campaign for their candidates until mid-night. In Bramhanbaria 3 constituency, the cost of running the camps, however, reached as high as Taka 10,000 per day.
• In Khagrachhari, the AL candidate is reportedly giving Taka 150 to each person in the camps per day. The constituency witnessed a clash between two groups over the issue of boycotting the elections. Police fired nearly 30 rounds of blank shots to disperse the warring groups. The four-party candidate alleged that the district council was being used to campaign for AL candidates.
• In Noakhali 6 constituency, AL and BNP candidates facilitated filing of false nominations by six and four persons respectively to get access for increased number of agents in the voting centres.
• In Noakhali 1 constituency, industrialist MA Hashem has so far distributed 20 motorcycles among the election workers. He has also granted donations for local mosques, madrashas, clubs and other social organisations, and is promising more elsewhere. He has also distributed sarees and cash among the women in villages.
• In Rangamati, the PCJSS continued campaigning against holding of the elections keeping pace. While the UPDF, which was opposed to the tribal peace treaty had its first electoral meeting in favour of its candidate Proshit Bikash Khisha on September 17.
• In Barguna 2 constituency, Anwar Hossain Monju reportedly deployed some 14,000 workers to campaign for him.
• In Barguna 3, large number of women is campaigning for AL candidate Sheikh Hasina.
• In Jhalakathi 1 constituency, four candidates were issued show cause notices for violating electoral code of conduct.
• In Pirozpur 1 constituency, supporters of JI candidate have been gifting caps, veil, umbrella, cassette and other products to the voters in different places. The AL candidate is also distributing cash and clothing among the Hindu voters in Sadar and Nazirpur upazillas.
• In Patuakhali 1 constituency, former Air chief Altaf Hossain's wife is campaigning for her husband going door to door and organising meetings of women.
• In Barguna 2 constituency, the four-party candidate reportedly facilitated filing of nomination papers by three independent candidates to get increased number of agents in the voting centres.
• In Barguna 3 constituency, the AL candidate is reportedly trying to buy the workers of Islami Oikya Front offering cash.
• In Maulavibazar 4 constituency, independent candidate Haji Mujib reportedly distributed cash to the local mosques, temples and churches, and promised to set up dance rooms in two tea local gardens.
• In Habiganj 2 constituency, BNP candidate Zakaria Chowdhury regained his right to contest the elections following an order from the Supreme Court after he was disqualified for defaulting on bank loans. But he could not get the election symbol of his party as another person from AL obtained the symbol by joining BNP. Zakaria is now contesting the polls with another symbol.
• In Sunamganj, candidates are seeking blessings from the elderly people of the area by going door to door and touching their feet in line with the Islamic custom of showing respect.
• In Meherpur 2 constituency, candidates from AL and Islami Oikya Front are spending huge amount of money in organising truck march in the area.
• In Jessore 3 constituency, BNP candidate Tariqul Islam promised to spend Taka 2,200 crore for the development of the region if his party was voted to power. The AL candidate Ali Reza Razu did not mention any figure, but said he would initiate massive development programmes for Jessore, if elected. Independent candidate Kazi Shahed Ahmed said he would turn Jessore into Singapore. However, he promised to spend money for its development even if he is not elected.
• In Rajshahi 1 constituency, AL candidate Khairuzzaman Liton alleged that his rival from BNP Mizanur Rahman Minu has been using the vehicles and other facilities of the city corporation by dint of being the Mayor of the city. The BNP alleged that the AL candidate has constructed a building on government land and is using that place for electoral campaign. BNP also demanded demolition of the building.
• In Joypurhat, under-aged boys are being used in certain areas for electoral campaign. They were being given Taka 20 each per day besides refreshments.
• In Joypurhat 2 constituency, candidates from both BNP and AL are going door to door in villages and talking about their problems. The voters are happy because they feel there could be an end to the problems.
• In Thakurgaon 2 and 4 constituencies, the four-party alliance has distributed leaflets containing indecent statement about AL candidate Ramesh Chandra Sen. In Thakurgaon 2 constituency, JI candidates are using mosques to campaign for their candidacy. In some places, supporters of JI even forced the Muslim devotees to promise to vote for their candidates after prayers in mosques.
• In Panchagar 1 constituency, the Hindu voters in Balarampur Union under Atwari upazilla have gifted a gold-made sheaf of paddy to the local BNP candidate. The candidates are spending Taka 100 to 500 per day to run the election camps in the area.
• In Pabna 1 constituency, nearly 200 religious clerics of different mosques are campaigning for JI candidate Motiur Rahman Nizami. They are seeking votes for him organising religious meetings.
• In Naogaon, supporters of candidates are distributing posters making personal attack on Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia in an indecent manner. Use of microphone went beyond the permissible limit and the candidates are using street children to campaign for them. In Naogaon 1 constituency, the candidates from major political parties have arranged refreshments at the election camps. Instead of organising large public meetings they are giving more attention to other modes of campaign.
• In Sirajganj 2 constituency, supporters of AL candidate Mohammad Nasim are campaigning wearing Muslim caps.
• In Lalmonirhat 1 constituency, none of the candidates from three major political parties were following the electoral code of conduct. They are spending huge amount of money in campaign. It was alleged that BDR personnel in bordering Doikhaoa area had been working for the BNP candidate.
• In Gaibandha, candidates are allocating Taka 1000 for each election camps to arrange refreshment for the voters. An estimated Taka 1.3 million was being spent per day for the purpose. The candidates were also violating electoral code of conduct using microphones beyond the limit set by the Election Commission. They have also displayed coloured posters in violation of the code of conduct.
• Candidates in Munshiganj are spending most of their funds in organising marches and public meetings.
• In Rajbari 2 constituency, most of the funds were being used in printing posters, renting microphones and running the election camps. In Rajbari 1 constituency, the candidates are also violating the code of conduct setting up more than the permissible limit of election camps.
• In Sherpur 2 constituency, a huge portrait of the four-party candidate Zahed Ali Chowdhury is on display on a key road in the area. He had also distributed tubewells among the tribal people in hilly areas in Nalitabari upazilla.
• In Faridpur 2 constituency, AL candidate has distributed 25,000 T-shirts inscribing the election symbol boat, in 17 unions under two upazillas.
• In Manikganj 3 constituency, BNP candidate Harun-ar-Rashid Khan Monnu has spent the highest amount of money. He is spending Taka 500 to 2000 to run the election camps and also distributing cash to the mosques, madrasha, schools, colleges and clubs. The amount of money granted to these institutions ranges between Taka 2000 and 40,000. He is also gifting mobile phones to his workers. An investigation is underway to probe into the complaints of violating election rules against Monnu. The local AL candidate Zahid Malek Swapan has also distributed mobile phones among his election workers.
• In Manikganj, the poster showing the incident of humiliation of a woman in Dhaka University on 31st night was displayed, besides posters containing indecent statement against Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.
• In Kishoreganj, both AL and BNP were violating the election code of conduct staging rally on the roads. Supporters of both the parties are also tearing the posters of their opponents frequently.
• In Barisal 1 constituency, AL candidate Abul Hasnat Abdullah is frequently using the Pajero jeep of the Gauranadi municipality for election campaign. On September 18, a truck of the municipality was also used to campaign for him.

The Chittagong City Corporation has banned displaying of posters anywhere and selected certain areas for the display.