A group of Awami League delegates on Monday visited the Bangladesh Nirbachon Bhaban (Election Commission) and complained about BNP leaders allegedly attacking their supporters throughout the country.
A report in bdnews24.com quoting Akhtaruzzaman, the leader of the delegation stated that the BNP and the Jatiya Oikya Front are making ‘objectionable and politically-motivated’ comments about Bangladesh army adding that the members of the army are professional, patriotic and disciplined.
Also read: Border security beefed up ahead of Bangladesh general elections
With just five days left for the general elections, soldiers have been deployed since Monday morning to aid the civil administration in law enforcement.
The BNP and Oikya Jote, who have been alleging harassment of leaders, issued separate statements on Sunday about the move, hoping the army would ‘level the playing field’ for all candidates, the report stated.
Also read: Bangladesh EC rejects plea against allowing Jamaat leaders to contest polls
The opposition alliance is trying to create controversies surrounding the army, said Akhtaruzzaman, a member of the ruling party’s central committee and election steering committee.
Addressing the media, Oikya Front chief Dr Kamal Hossain said the army has a ‘tough job’ to do during the election.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said he felt ‘safe and reassured’ because of the army, hoping their presence will change the pre-election scene.
Notably, five Awami League leaders have been killed and another 250 injured by the BNP and Oikya Front activists since the election schedule was announced last month, the ruling party leaders told Election Commission secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed in a meeting, the report added.