A series of violent attacks on parliamentary candidates has sparked widespread fear among contenders for Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. Independent candidate and Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was critically injured after being shot in Dhaka-8, following a similar attack earlier this month on BNP candidate Md Ershad Ullah in Chattogram-8. These incidents have heightened anxiety among candidates and voters, prompting urgent calls for stronger government action to ensure a peaceful electoral environment.

Political leaders from opposition parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Amar Bangladesh Party, condemned the attacks as attempts to derail the election. Experts from Dhaka University warned that such violence could undermine public confidence and deter participation. Law enforcement agencies, including the Special Branch, have begun assessing security risks and planning constituency-specific safety measures. Analysts emphasize that without swift intervention, further violence could jeopardize the credibility and fairness of the election process.