Allegations have emerged that BNP activists obstructed the election campaign of the 11-party ‘Oikyo Boddho Bangladesh’ alliance, which includes Jamaat and NCP, in Dhaka-18 constituency. The incidents reportedly occurred on Friday across several areas, including Khilkhet’s Ward 48, where campaign leaflets were forcibly taken away after Jumma prayers. Local BNP leader Murad Kazi and his associates allegedly seized leaflets distributed in support of the Shapla Koli symbol and threatened campaigners with consequences if they went to polling centers on February 12.

The NCP claimed that alliance workers were intimidated during the campaign, with threats of assault if they continued campaigning in the area. A campaign rickshaw with loudspeakers was also reportedly taken away by BNP activists in the Borua Bazar area. Female members of the alliance were allegedly subjected to verbal abuse while campaigning for the Shapla Koli symbol.

Ariful Islam, the alliance’s candidate for Dhaka-18, condemned the incidents, calling them attempts to derail a fair election and demanded justice against those responsible.