The Election Commission has ordered the police to initiate measures to ensure security for candidates of opposition alliance the Jatiya Oikya Front.
On Monday (Dec 17), a letter signed by its Deputy Secretary Abdul Hamid Khan was forwarded to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Javed Patwary’s offices, which sought for an update on the steps taken.
The Commission also attached letters given to it by Oikya Front and BNP-led 20-party Alliance.
According to people familiar with the content of the letter, the IGP has been told to take strict measures over reports of sweeping arrests of opposition supporters and attacks during campaigning.
The move came on written complaints filed by BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Dec 15, they said.
Earlier on Monday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir filed a complaint about BNP candidates being attacked across the country.
The Commission has separately written to the Bangladesh Police chief for measures over the clash in Noakhali, where BNP candidate and the party’s joint secretary general, Mahbub Uddin Khokon received buckshot wounds.