Bangladesh: Opposition faces crackdown ahead of polls

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh

A crackdown against the main opposition party in Bangladesh has raised questions on the fairness of the upcoming general elections, analysts say.

Leaders of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) are facing arbitrary arrests and court cases.

The mystery surrounding the death of an opposition candidate who had arrived in capital Dhaka last week to file his nomination papers adds fuel to the fire.

The body of Abu Bakar Abu, 58, was recovered from a river in the outskirts after police allegedly picked him from his hotel.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC), the country's election authority, has asked the police to investigate the incident and file a report.

The party claims dozens of party members have been arrested on charges.

"Over 1,000 of our party members were picked up by law enforcing agencies since Nov.8," Shamsuzzaman Dudu, vice-chairman of BNP, told Anadolu Agency.

The BNP has handed over the names of 529 detained members to the election authority demanding their release.

The party’s chief Khaleda Zia was sent to jail over graft charges and her son Tarique Rahman, active president of the party, is facing a life term.

Dudu said in rare talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month they were assured that the arrests will stop, but the situation remains the same.

The government rejects the opposition claims saying they stem from fear of a crushing defeat in the elections, which is scheduled to be held on Dec. 30.

“Fear of being defeated in the election has prompted baseless allegations against the government and election commission,” Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, told reporters in Dhaka.

Rights group have also expressed concern over the political situation in the country.

Baidul Alam Majumdar, the editor of Sujon, a Dhaka-based civil society group, told Anadolu Agency: “For an acceptable election, there must be a level playing field for all.”

He supported the opposition's claim saying the government was trying to "dominate" the opposition and "control" elections.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Sunday said: “Police are not arresting any innocent."