Jamaat alleges targeted harassment of candidates by election officials

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has accused magistrates and election officials in several districts of targeting its candidates ahead of the February 12 national election.

A party delegation led by Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday and lodged a formal complaint.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Azad said Jamaat candidates were facing “unwarranted interference” even in areas where no complaints had been filed against them. “In several places, candidates of certain parties are campaigning without restriction. But false complaints are being filed against us, and in many areas magistrates and election officials are acting on their own initiative,” he said.

Azad argued that the official campaign period begins on January 22 and that any political activity before that violates the election schedule. “If the administration cannot maintain neutrality, a level playing field is impossible,” he said.

According to Jamaat, candidates from other parties have been allowed to operate freely despite alleged breaches of the electoral code of conduct, while Jamaat hopefuls are receiving show-cause notices, fines and repeated warnings.

“There are piles of complaints that we have submitted, but no action is being taken. This clearly shows electoral equality is not being upheld,” Azad said. “Those violating the code face no consequences, and those who have not violated it are the ones being punished. We have told the Commission that this must stop.”

Azad, who is contesting the Cox’s Bazar-2 seat, said the party wants the election and referendum to take place as scheduled on February 12, 2026.

Source: UNB