Dhaka: Violence and unrest overshadowed Bangladesh’s 13th national elections on Thursday, with one Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader killed and at least 72 people injured in multiple clashes across
the country, marring the first polls held after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to reports by Bangladeshi daily The Daily Star, at least 14 separate incidents of violence were recorded during voting, prompting interventions by police and army personnel at several polling centres. Law enforcement agencies detained at least nine people in connection with the clashes, five from Munshiganj and four from Jhalakathi. The elections are important as they mark Bangladesh’s transition from a caretaker administration led by Muhammad Yunus to an elected government.
BNP Leader Killed During Clash At Polling Station
The most serious incident was reported from Khulna, where a BNP leader was killed during an altercation with Jamaat-e-Islami activists outside a polling station. The deceased, identified as Mohibuzzaman Kochi (55), was a former office secretary of the Khulna city unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. According to BD News, the incident occurred around 8:10 am at the Alia Madrasah polling station in Khulna Sadar.
Elsewhere, at least 31 people, including a journalist from Bangladesh Television (BTV), were injured in Noakhali’s Hatiya area following a clash between supporters of the National Citizen Party and the BNP. Hatiya police station officer-in-charge Saiful Alam stated attempts to influence voting at a polling centre reportedly triggered the violence.
In Bagerhat’s Sharankhola, clashes between supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP candidates left at least 19 people injured. The incident occurred on a road leading to a polling centre in Sonatola village, police and local residents confirmed, according to a Firstpost report.
Four injured persons were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital, while another four were treated at the Sharankhola Upazila Health Complex. Similar clashes in Meherpur left nine people injured. In Dhaka, several voters complained that they were unable to cast their ballots due to alleged discrepancies, further adding to the tense atmosphere surrounding the polls.
BNP Heading For Landslide Win
Despite the violence, the BNP is heading towards a historic return to power after nearly 25 years, leading in 209 of the 300 seats in the 13th general election. Party chairperson Tarique Rahman is leading in both his constituencies and is set to become the next prime minister. In a statement, the BNP said the results reflected a public mandate for democratic revival and political stability.
Vote counting is expected to conclude by around 11 am, election officials said. Early trends also point to a major political comeback for the family of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, even as concerns over election-day violence continue to cast a shadow over the process.
