Pre-poll clashes in Patuakhali

With the union parishad polls just a few days away, the news of deadly clashes during election campaign is really worrying. On March 7, one person was killed and 42 were injured in two separate incidents of clashes between supporters of UP chairman candidates in Patuakhali. Earlier it was also reported in the media that candidates, particularly the BNP-nominated ones and AL's rebel aspirants, had been obstructed from submitting their nomination papers in many places. Workers' Party's President Rashed Khan Menon in his parliamentary speech alleged that his party candidates were barred from filing nomination papers. We are apprehensive of this trend which might deteriorate during the elections. A violence ridden election will mar the whole electoral process and the credibility of the polls. 

This time elections to the UP chairman post will be held on partisan lines. So the political parties have the responsibility to check irregularities of their party men. In both the cases in Patuakhali, AL candidates were involved in the violence. The ruling party should look into the matter seriously and take action against its unruly elements. Unfortunately, we are yet to see any action by the election authority though they are primarily responsible for ensuring a peaceful poll ambience. They should play a proactive role to avoid further occurrence of such untoward incidents.