Bangladesh: Opposition decries mass arrests, attacks

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh

The main opposition party in Bangladesh said it is facing mass arrests and attacks ahead of general elections on Sunday.

The party on Thursday claimed 2,588 activists of BNP and its alliance were injured in 2,716 incidents of attacks across the country since election campaign started on Dec. 10.

Some 9,200 activists were arrested and 806 cases were filed against them, said Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary of the BNP, in a news conference at the party's headquarters in capital Dhaka.

"The government and Election Commission have come up with efforts to oust the opposition alliance from the general election," he added.

Police officials in Dhaka could not be reached for a comment despite repeated attempts.

Election Commissioner Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury rejected claims of the opposition saying the political situation is "under control to hold a free and fair election".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful environment to vote.

“Ahead of the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, the UN General Secretary calls for an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN chief, said in a tweet.

“All Bangladeshi citizens, including minorities and women, must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote,” he said.

U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller on Thursday expressed fear of violence on the Election Day.

The envoy said: “United States is concerned about high level of violence in election campaigning for last two weeks.”

Observing that opposition parties were the major victim of the violence, he added that the U.S. wants to see “a free, fair, credible and violence free election on Dec. 30.”