UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after Sunday's general election in Bangladesh.

In the run-up to the polls, he said an environment free from violence would help enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive election.

In a statement yesterday, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN secretary-general, said, “All Bangladeshi citizens, including minorities and women, must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote. Civil society and electoral observers should be fully supported to play their role in the process.”

Guterres also reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations to support a peaceful and democratic Bangladesh, it added.

The call for a peaceful and free, fair and inclusive election comes at a time when violence continues across the country before the 11th parliamentary election.

Last week, the UN said it is closely following the situation ahead of the polls in Bangladesh. 

On December 10, Dujarric said, “We believe, as a matter of principles, that elections should be held in a positive climate, free from any sort of intimidation.” 

In another development, the US yesterday expressed concern by the high level of campaign violence over the last two weeks.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the Election Commission Secretariat, US Ambassador Earl Miller said he asked for this meeting because the US is concerned by the high level of campaign violence over the last two weeks, says an embassy statement.

All parties have been victims of violence, including minorities and female candidates. However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence, he said. 

Miller added, “I appreciated the opportunity to consult with the Election Commission to see what plans it has to create a conducive atmosphere, so all Bangladeshis, no matter their political affiliation, feel safe to go to the polls on Sunday and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.

“Bangladesh is rightfully proud of its democratic traditions, including elections where upwards of 70 percent of the electorate turns out to vote. In any democratic election there must be space for peaceful expression and assembly; for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments; for participants to have access to information; and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation, or violence.”

The US wishes all Bangladeshis a free, fair, tolerant and peaceful election day on Sunday, the envoy added.

People from different districts are turning up in Narail to campaign for Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.

They are hanging posters, distributing leaflets and asking people to vote for Mashrafe, Awami League candidate in Narail-2, said Golam Mortaza Swapan, father of the pacer lovingly called “Narail Express”.

Many of them are doing these with their own money, he said.

“A group of 11 came from Pirojpur today with posters and leaflets and sought vote for my son,” Swapan told The Daily Star over phone on Friday. “Many youths are staying in hotels,”  he  said.

He mentioned a young boy who came all the way from Bogura and was staying at a hotel in the district. The boy happily took the trouble only to see Mashrafe win.

 Not only the leaders and activists of the ruling AL, commoners were also holding rallies for his son, he added.

 Narail-2 has 317,763 constituents -- 157,084 males and 160,679 females.

During a visit to a number of key areas in Narail Sadar, these correspondents found that electioneering for Mashrafe was going on in full swing. Unlike campaigns in other constituencies, it was being conducted by people of all ages and political affiliations and they were campaigning spending their own money.

“Everyone, especially the youths, are raising funds to run the election camps and Mashrafe's campaign,” said Azizur Rahman, who owns a pharmacy at Chachra-Gabtola Bazar in Narail sadar.

Awami League ward-3 President Mintu Biswas said, “I don't know about other areas but in my area, even leaders and activists of Jamaat-BNP are up for Mashrafe.”

On December 19, the correspondents visited Mashrafe's campaign office at Chachra-Gabtola Bazar in the afternoon and talked to a number of people there.

Among them, Sher Ali Biswas said, “A few of us are bearing the expenditure. We will not take any money from Mashrafe even if he offers. People of this area love him a lot.”

Mulia Union Parishad Chairman Rabindranath Adhikary made a similar statement when asked about the expenditure.

Narail Municipality Mayor Jahangir Biswas said, “I have been bearing all the expenditure for Mashrafe's campaign in the municipality.”

Yesterday afternoon, Mashrafe reached Narail and started campaigning himself.

Mashrafe's main rival is AZM Fariduzzaman Farhad, who is contesting with “sheaf of paddy”, the BNP's electoral symbol. Fariduzzaman is the chairman of National People's Party, a component of the Jatiya Oikyafront, led by the BNP and several other parties.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina ran from Narail-2 in the 2001 national polls and won.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged all to cast vote for Awami League in order to continue the development activities of her government and ensure a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh.

“Every vote is valuable and your one will help us form the government for the continuation of the country's development,” she said at a rally at Bhanga circle in Faridpur, on her way to Dhaka from Tungipara. The rally was organised as part of the party's second day of election campaign.

“If Awami League fails to return to power, the construction work of the Padma Bridge will be suspended,” she said.

The AL president also sought vote for Kazi Zafarullah, the party nominee in Faridpur-4.

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“I'm seeking your vote... as you can understand how valuable your vote is for the continuation of development and establishment of Bangladesh as a dignified country in the world arena,” the prime minister added.

Bangladesh became independent through casting vote for “boat” and gradually a hunger and poverty-free country has been built, she said.

Referring to many development works carried out by her government, the AL president said, "We've become self-reliant in food, while the literacy rate in the country has increased... there has been a rise in power generation, too."

Addressing another rally at Mahendra Stand in Daulatdia of Rajbari, she said, “It's important for Awami League candidates to win in all the seats. Keep it in mind while casting your vote.”

“During the BNP-Jamaat rule, there was a rise in terrorism and militancy as people saw the incidents of 10-truck arms haul, August 21 grenade attack and serial bomb blast across the country. People across the country got terrified. Bangladesh also became the champion in corruption for five times.”

“After forming the government, we've taken steps so that the people can lead a happy life,” Hasina said.

She said the second Padma Bridge would be constructed on completion of the first one. “A feasibility study is underway for the second Padma Bridge. Awami League knows it very well how to take the country forward.”

Addressing a public rally at Komorpur Abdul Aziz Institution in Faridpur Sadar, Hasina said, “We don't want to go back to the dark era, we've started moving forward to the path of light and the journey will continue if you cast your vote for 'boat'.”

The AL chief also sought vote for Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain contesting from Faridpur-3.

Hasina said, “BNP-Jamaat men had looted the assets of the country and ate up the money of orphans. They had come to power to kill people and commit corruption. They can't do anything other than burning people and carrying out destruction.”

The spirit of Liberation War had diminished with the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, she said while addressing another rally at Paturia Ferry Ghat in Manikganj.

“The BNP-Jamaat doesn't believe in Liberation War. They don't want people's welfare. Development will take place only if the Awami League is voted to power,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Hasina started her journey around 9:04am by road from Tungirpara.

On Wednesday, the AL president launched her party's election campaign for the upcoming national election by addressing a public rally at Sheikh Lutfar Rahman Government Degree College ground at Kotalipara in Gopalganj.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses a rally at Maligram in Faridpur’s Bhanga on Thursday, December 13, 2018. Photo: PID

Netrakona-1 BNP candidate came under attack allegedly by the Awami League men during electoral campaign in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrakona today.

Kayser Kamal, the BNP candidate from Kalmakanda-Durgapur constituency, alleged that the activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League attacked them when he along with some his supporters were returning to Kalmakanda upazila headquarters from Udaypur area in Borokhapon union in the morning.

The activists of student and youth fronts of the ruling party also vandalised eight motorbikes and torched one, Kayser alleged.

He also alleged that AL men obstructed them when they were electioneering in Aambari Bazar area in Pogla union and in Udaypur area in Borokhapon union earlier in the morning.

However, no one was reported to be injured in the incidents. 

Denying the allegations, Kalmakanda UP chairman Fakrul Islam Firoz, also a member of Shecchasebok League central body, said no such incidents have occurred.

Md Zakir Hossain, UNO of Kalmakanda, said that he was informed about the incidents and asked the officer-in-charge of Kalmakanda Police Station to investigate the incidents.

Afroza Abbas, a BNP candidate of Dhaka-9 constituency, and her supporters came under attack today while campaigning in Dakshin Goran in Dhaka’s Khilgaon area.

Around 15-20 AL men attacked Afroza Abbas and her party men after they crossed Khilgaon Railgate area around 11:15 am, BNP sources said.

Later, more ruling party activists joined the attackers and damaged the campaign materials ensuing a clash, the sources claimed.

Afroza Abbas, a BNP candidate of Dhaka-9 constituency, and her supporters come under attack on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 while campaigning in Dakshin Goran in Dhaka’s Khilgaon area. Photo: Collected

Around 15 to 20 men of both the parties were injured during the clash, party sources said.

On December 12, BCL men allegedly attacked the motorcade of Afroza Abbas during campaign in Dhaka. They damaged the car of the BNP leader and left her driver injured.