Imtiaz Ahmed, Narayanganj

Ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election, voters in Narayanganj district are expressing concern about the possibility of violence. Although the administration says the overall law and order situation remains normal, the Election Commission has identified 450 out of the district’s 797 polling centers as important, indicating heightened security concerns.

An incident has intensified public anxiety: in Araihazar, shots were fired at a vehicle carrying a former Chhatra Dal leader and a Jubo Dal leader while they were returning home after election campaigning under the BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy symbol. The incident occurred on Sunday night (February 1) on a road near Araihazar Bazar. Since then, voters in the area have been living in fear.

Amid rising election tensions, clashes have already occurred in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj-2 constituency over campaign activities, spreading tension across the area. According to local sources, there is also concern about potential violence in Fatullah (Narayanganj-4) and Bandar upazila (Narayanganj-5).

In Narayanganj-4 constituency, NCP candidate Abdullah Al Amin said, The constituency where I am contesting once suffered from a reign of terror. The area is plagued by waterlogging, drugs, crime, and mismanagement in the healthcare sector. People have long wanted relief from these problems. I want to work to address them. We are preparing plans to tackle these challenges. My goal is to free the people from fear and terror.

Since the start of election campaigning, reports of several minor and major untoward incidents have emerged in these areas. Candidates from different political parties have accused each other of obstructing campaigns, carrying out attacks, and issuing threats. The administration, however, says these allegations are being investigated and necessary measures are being taken.

According to district administration sources, the Election Commission has avoided using the term high-risk centers this time. Instead, polling centers have been classified into two categories: important and general. Under this classification, more than half of Narayanganj’s polling centers have been deemed important, and special security measures have been adopted accordingly.

To ensure a free, fair, and peaceful vote, the administration says it has taken maximum preparations. Notably, body-worn cameras will be used by police officers at the 450 important polling centers to ensure transparency in the voting process and to quickly control any unwanted situation.

Narayanganj’s Returning Officer, Raihan Kabir, said, The Election Commission is not using the word ‘risky’ this time. Polling centers are being categorized as important and general. Of the 797 polling centers in Narayanganj district, 450 have been considered important, where police personnel will be equipped with body-worn cameras.

Meanwhile, Additional Election Officer Rakibuzzaman Renu said that a separate list of especially important polling centers is being prepared and will be published soon. Additional law enforcement personnel will be deployed at those centers.

Lieutenant Colonel Mirza Md. Arafat, Commander of Narayanganj Battalion (62 BGB), said that BGB members are operating from five base camps across five upazilas of the district. A total of 17 platoons of BGB have been deployed in Narayanganj to ensure a peaceful environment and protect voters’ rights during the 13th national parliamentary election. All government and Election Commission directives will be strictly followed during the election period.

He added that across the 13 parliamentary constituencies under the Narayanganj Battalion’s jurisdiction, around 36 platoons of BGB have been deployed from 11 base camps to ensure a fair and peaceful election at 1,921 polling centers. In Narayanganj district alone, 17 platoons are operating from five base camps in five upazilas. Special operations to recover illegal weapons are also ongoing.

Among the district’s five constituencies, BNP candidate Dipu Bhuiyan appears relatively comfortable only in Narayanganj-1. In Narayanganj-2, BNP candidate Azad is struggling in the final moments against independent candidate Angur. In Narayanganj-3, rebel candidate Mohammad Gias is reportedly leading, outpacing all others.

In Narayanganj-4, three BNP leaders are contesting as independent candidates. The position of BNP-backed candidate Kasemi appears shaky, while Mohammad Ali and Shah Alam are gaining ground as the days pass. In Narayanganj-5, independent candidate Sirajul Mamun (Wall Clock symbol) and Maksud Hossain (Football symbol) have created a storm in the race, putting Abdul Kalam under pressure.

Out of Narayanganj’s five constituencies, Jamaat-e-Islami has withdrawn from three seats. The party has fielded its own candidates in two constituencies, though their position remains unclear. Still, public interest in Jamaat appears to be growing. Khelafat Majlish has also managed to strongly assert its presence in this election.

The administration remains optimistic that, through extensive preparation and monitoring, a peaceful and credible election will be held in Narayanganj district.