Supporters of independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishad were attacked on Friday night, November 23, in the Kochua and Padumshahar areas of Saghata upazila, Gaibandha-5 constituency. Witnesses said the assault occurred around 9:30 p.m. while Nishad’s campaign workers were having tea after distributing election leaflets. A group of people reportedly attacked them with sticks, injuring several and damaging seven motorcycles. The injured were taken to Saghata Upazila Health Complex.

At nearly the same time, another group of Nishad’s supporters was holding a campaign meeting in a house in Padumshahar, where five motorcycles parked outside were completely vandalized, though no injuries were reported. Nishad, a former BNP district vice-president, alleged that BNP candidate Faruk Alam’s supporters, led by Saghata BNP member secretary Tulip, carried out the planned attack. He said he would file written complaints with Saghata police and the returning officer.

Judge Tanzir Hossain, responsible for the election inquiry and judicial committee of Gaibandha-5, confirmed awareness of the incident and said action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.