Three candidates of Narayanganj-1 parliamentary seat have expressed their no-confidence in the superintendent of police in Narayanganj and the officer-in-charge of Rupganj Police Station for their biased role ahead of the 7 January national election.
They have submitted written allegations against them to the Election Commission (EC), an independent constitutional body that operates the legal functions of election laws in the country.
They stated in their written allegation that if the election for the Narayanganj-1 parliamentary seat is conducted under the supervision of the current police super of Narayanganj and the officer-in-charge of Rupganj Police Station, its legitimacy will be questionable.
The voters will not dare to go to their respective vote centres if the prevailing situation persists, they said calling upon the EC to withdraw the police super and the OC as soon as possible to hold the election in a free and fair manner.
Taimur Alam Khandaker, a candidate backed by the Trinamool Bangladesh National Party (BNP), said the two police officers obstructed him from carrying out his election campaign independently.
Despite reporting the issue to the local administration, no action has been taken, he alleged.
“It is disheartening that our campaign is facing obstruction from an organized terrorist group allegedly nurtured by the current Member of Parliament and Textiles and Jute Minister, Golam Dastagir Gazi,” he said.
“The terrorist group is engaged in issuing threats to our voters visiting door-to-door and repressing them in many ways when they are raising their voices,” he said.
Narayanganj Police Super Golam Mostafa Russell and Rupganj OC, Pradip Chandra Saha are not paying heed even after being repeatedly informed about these issues, Taimur said.
Another independent candidate, who was a three-time upazila chairman and general secretary of Rupganj Upazila Awami League Md. Shahjahan Bhuiyan submitted an allegation expressing his no confidence in the SP and OC to the Chief Election Commission on the same ground.
Md. Saiful Islam, a candidate of the Jatiya Party, submitted the same allegation against the SP and OC to the EC accusing them of discharging their unfair role in the area ahead of the election.
“Terrorists associated with Golam Dastagir Gazi are threatening to harm and make my voters and supporters disappear. They are also intimidating to seize the lands and houses of my leaders and activists,” Islam stated in his allegation.
