Jamaat alleges targeted harassment of its candidates by election officials

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), claiming that its candidates are being unfairly harassed by magistrates and election officials in certain areas.

The party claimed that such actions are being taken on the officials’ own initiative, even where no formal complaints have been lodged, raising concerns about the neutrality of the administration ahead of the upcoming national election scheduled to be held on 12 February.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said officials are taking action against Jamaat candidates even in the absence of formal complaints, raising questions about administrative neutrality ahead of the election.

“While candidates of some parties campaign freely without facing consequences, our candidates are being fined or served notices,” Azad told Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin during a meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital in the afternoon.

“Such actions must stop to ensure a level playing field,” he added.

Azad also stressed that Jamaat fully supports holding the national election and referendum as scheduled, but warned that continued harassment could undermine electoral equality.