Bangladesh Polls: Violence - Statistics and official reports

Concerns over violence during the elections in the polls in Bangladesh being held on February 12 are high.

On February 10, four polling centres were set on fire in Sadar and Purbadhala upazilas of Netrakona district. Mamun Sarkar, Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station, said miscreants set fire to three polling centres (government primary schools) in sadar upazila at night around 3:30 am as per the Dhaka Tribune.

Bangladesh media has reported quoting police Headquarters data shows 144 violent incidents nationwide between December 12 and January 26, including 55 clashes, 11 cases of intimidation, six attacks on candidates, two incidents involving illegal weapons, 17 obstructions to campaign activities, eight attacks and arson targeting election offices, and 24 other incidents linked to various causes.

The Human Rights Culture Foundation (MSF), in a comparative analysis of December and January, reported a sharp deterioration in the overall human rights situation, describing it as “more complex, violent, and alarming.” Of 64 reported election-related incidents, 33 involved clashes between BNP and Jamaat, 13 stemmed from internal BNP conflicts, nine between BNP supporters and independent candidates, and one each involved Gono Odhikar Parishad, an independent candidate, and BNP versus NCP. According to Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 75 clashes occurred in January alone, leaving 11 dead and 616 injured.

From January 21 to January 31, following the start of campaigning, 51 clashes were recorded, resulting in at least four deaths and 414 injuries. The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said 274 election-related violent incidents over the 53 days from December 12 to 9:00 pm on February 1. By comparison, during the 10th national parliamentary election, from December 22, 2013, to January 4, 2014, 530 incidents were reported, resulting in 115 deaths and 315 injuries.

Of the 274 incidents in the current election period, 16 involved intimidation or aggressive behavior, 15 attacks on candidates, five murders, 89 clashes among rival candidate supporters, three incidents involving illegal weapons, nine cases of threats and coercion, 29 obstructions in campaigning, 20 attacks, vandalism or arson targeting election offices, 17 blockades or protests, one attack on minority communities, and 70 incidents of other types.