Jamaat alleges harassment of female campaigners ahead of Feb 12 polls
The Chronify
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has lodged complaints with the Election Commission alleging harassment and intimidation of its women activists during election campaigning. The party also claimed MPO-enlisted teachers are being obstructed by local officials.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday submitted several complaints to the Election Commission, alleging harassment of its women activists and MPO-enlisted teachers during election campaigning ahead of the February 12 national polls.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair raised the allegations while briefing reporters after a Jamaat delegation, led by him, met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.
“We have noticed over the past few days that when our women activists go out to carry out election activities, they are being attacked in different parts of the country. They are being harassed and humiliated,” Zubair said.
He alleged that in some cases, women campaigners wearing niqab were publicly asked to remove it, while mobile phones were snatched from female activists in constituencies including Dhaka-15. He said such incidents have created fear and concern among women voters, who constitute nearly half of the electorate.
Zubair said it was unfortunate that women activists, who are playing an important role in the ongoing election campaign and referendum process, were facing what he described as severe misconduct by members of a certain political party.
Raising another complaint, he alleged that MPO-enlisted school teachers affiliated with Jamaat were being prevented by local officials, including magistrates, from taking part in election campaigning.
He questioned why MPO-enlisted teachers would be barred from campaigning when they are legally allowed to contest elections themselves. “When a teacher is harassed or fined, it humiliates them in front of colleagues, students and society,” he said.
Zubair said the Election Commission assured the Jamaat delegation that appropriate steps would be taken to address the complaints.
He also reiterated the party’s demand for installing CCTV cameras at polling centres, adding that the commission informed them that necessary steps had already been taken and a circular issued.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair raised the allegations while briefing reporters after a Jamaat delegation, led by him, met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.
“We have noticed over the past few days that when our women activists go out to carry out election activities, they are being attacked in different parts of the country. They are being harassed and humiliated,” Zubair said.
He alleged that in some cases, women campaigners wearing niqab were publicly asked to remove it, while mobile phones were snatched from female activists in constituencies including Dhaka-15. He said such incidents have created fear and concern among women voters, who constitute nearly half of the electorate.
Zubair said it was unfortunate that women activists, who are playing an important role in the ongoing election campaign and referendum process, were facing what he described as severe misconduct by members of a certain political party.
Raising another complaint, he alleged that MPO-enlisted school teachers affiliated with Jamaat were being prevented by local officials, including magistrates, from taking part in election campaigning.
He questioned why MPO-enlisted teachers would be barred from campaigning when they are legally allowed to contest elections themselves. “When a teacher is harassed or fined, it humiliates them in front of colleagues, students and society,” he said.
Zubair said the Election Commission assured the Jamaat delegation that appropriate steps would be taken to address the complaints.
He also reiterated the party’s demand for installing CCTV cameras at polling centres, adding that the commission informed them that necessary steps had already been taken and a circular issued.
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