Ahead of the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election, concerns over candidate safety have been formally raised with the Election Commission (EC) by two prominent political figures. Kazi Reha Kabir Sigma, a prospective independent candidate from Kishoreganj-4, and Asaduzzaman Fuad, Secretary General of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party and the party’s nominated candidate for Barishal-3 (Babuganj–Muladi), have each submitted separate applications seeking enhanced security measures.
On Wednesday, 17 December, both candidates visited the Election Commission headquarters and lodged their complaints in person, highlighting what they described as growing threats, intimidation, and a lack of cooperation from local law enforcement agencies. Their visits come at a crucial stage of the electoral process, when pre-campaign activities are gaining momentum across the country.
Kazi Reha Kabir Sigma met with Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin, along with Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud and Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar, and submitted a detailed written petition. In his application, Sigma reaffirmed his determination to contest the election as an independent candidate in Kishoreganj-4. He stated that he has already begun door-to-door campaigning and public outreach in his constituency, claiming to have received significant support from local voters.
Sigma further noted that a large number of volunteers and supporters are actively involved in his campaign activities. However, he alleged that these lawful efforts are being deliberately obstructed. According to his complaint, members of the police force at Austagram Police Station in Kishoreganj have been engaging in what he described as “reprehensible conduct” aimed at intimidating his campaign team and discouraging public participation.
He specifically referred to an incident on the night of 16 December, when one of his campaign workers was arrested at around 1:00 am and later sent to the Kishoreganj court in what Sigma termed a fabricated case. The arrest, he claimed, has created fear among his supporters and severely disrupted his election activities.
The detained individual, Md Qiamat Ali, aged 50, was described by Sigma as a well-known and innocent figure in the locality with no prior criminal record. He alleged that Qiamat Ali was falsely implicated in a case filed on 9 November 2024, despite not being named in the original complaint. Sigma argued that the timing and manner of the arrest clearly indicate an attempt to intimidate his supporters rather than enforce the law.
Sigma urged the Chief Election Commissioner to order an impartial investigation into the incident and to take immediate legal action against those responsible, stressing that such intervention is essential to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
Separately, AB Party Secretary General Asaduzzaman Fuad met Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed to express similar concerns. Fuad stated that he has not been receiving adequate support from the police despite facing security risks in his constituency.
Responding to questions about candidate safety, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that Fuad had raised complaints regarding police cooperation. He said the Election Commission is considering overall security arrangements for all candidates, while also reminding political actors that electoral outcomes depend solely on voters’ choices. He urged all candidates and their supporters to strictly adhere to the election code of conduct to maintain a peaceful and orderly election environment.