210 violent incidents recorded during election, post-poll period EWA

A total of 210 incidents of violence have occurred across the country on election day and the following two days. These include killings, rape, physical assaults, threats and vandalism. Among these incidents, 53 per cent were physical assaults. Attacks on homes, offices and chambers accounted for 14 per cent, threats were issued in 13 per cent of cases, arson incidents comprised 10 per cent, and other forms of violence constituted 10 percent.

Md Shariful Alam, head of the Election Working Alliance (EWA), presented this information at a press conference titled 'Election and Post-Election Situation: Report and Review' held at the National Press Club's Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall on Monday. The alliance presented observations covering three days including election day and the two subsequent days. Information was collected through the organisation's own monitoring across the country and from mainstream media.

The organisation stated that mainstream media is not presenting all information about violence. The picture of violence is much greater in field-level observations. According to information sent by the organisation's own monitoring teams, 210 incidents of violence have been documented during these three days.

Shariful Alam said although the vote appeared superficially peaceful, it was structurally flawed. Some bureaucrats, police, Ansar members and presiding officers behaved in a biased manner, raising questions about the transparency of the electoral process. In-depth investigation is needed into these matters.

The report stated that voter turnout was satisfactory. However, delays in vote counting, tardiness in announcing results, evidence of tampering with result sheets and discrepancies between voter numbers and declared results have created suspicion in the public mind. The report noted that these incidents indicate flaws and irregularities in the electoral system.

Concern was also expressed at the press conference regarding post-election violence. Shariful Alam informed that allegations have been received of attacks, beatings, vandalism and arson against Jamaat activists and supporters by BNP leaders and activists in various parts of the country during the two days following the election.

According to EWA's observation, an election cannot be called fair simply because the voting process was fair. Fair vote counting is equally important. Shariful Alam also commented that independent investigation by civil society is necessary into matters of reshuffling in important administrative positions before the election.

Also present at the press conference were EWA General Secretary Khondaker Zakaria Ahmed, Vice President Hemayet Hossain, and Rafiquzzaman Roman, Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Manarat International University.