Asking for impartial and immediate investigations into recent acts of killing, arson, ransacking of homes, shops and offices and targeted political violence, the world's largest human rights organisation said these reported incidents of violence strongly demonstrate the need for human rights to be the cornerstone for political programmes.

"All political parties must promptly address every report of involvement of their members in these acts of violence and cooperate fully with measures to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice," the AI said in a public statement on Wednesday.

The AI also noted that during a recent public briefing to all political parties on the crucial role they can play to stop human rights violation in Bangladesh, it had recommended that all the parties take responsibility for preventing their members from committing human rights abuses and bring to justice anyone involved, regardless of their party affiliation.

The rights watchdog called on the political leaders to make certain that people's rights of freedom of expression and assembly are respected at all times and that all political gatherings, campaigning or expressions of dissent in the run up to the elections are peaceful.