Azad warns of polls disruption by coastal pirates

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad on Friday warned that the election environment would be seriously disrupted if coastal pirates and identified criminals are not arrested promptly, alleging a lack of effective action by the administration despite repeated violations of electoral code of conduct.

Speaking at a press conference held at Jamaat-e-Islami Cox’s Bazar office on Friday morning, Azad said that although breaches of code of conduct are occurring frequently, the authorities are not taking appropriate measures. 

“For unclear reasons, the administration is failing to enforce the law, which has raised questions about its neutrality,” he said, adding that a level playing field is essential for holding a free and fair election.

He demanded the recovery of illegal weapons and the arrest of listed criminals, stressing that failure to curb coastal piracy would negatively impact the overall electoral atmosphere. 

Azad also alleged that certain individuals associated with past authoritarian practices have been seen with some candidates.

He further claimed that some officials within the administration are attempting to influence the election by changing their stance, calling for visible and impartial enforcement of the law.

The press conference was attended by former district Ameer Mostafizur Rahman, district Nayeb-e-Ameer Advocate Farid Uddin Faruqi, Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate for Cox’s Bazar-3 constituency Shahidul Alam Bahadur, among others.

SU/SH