An ominous warning for the February polls

We are shocked and strongly condemn the brutal attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and an aspiring candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. He remains in critical condition. Hadi, also a prominent leader of the July-August uprising, was shot in broad daylight on Friday afternoon while travelling by rickshaw in Dhaka's Paltan area. He was heading towards Bijoynagar when two helmet-wearing men on a motorcycle opened fire on him in front of the Baitus Salam Jame Mosque before fleeing the scene. The attack on Hadi appears to be targeted and there are reports that the two assailants could be individuals who had joined his campaign a few days ago. This horrific attack on an election candidate, less than 24 hours after the election schedule had been announced, is an ominous sign for the upcoming February polls. It exposes the precarious state of law and order and could be a precursor to further violence as the election day draws near. On the same day, there was also an arson attack on a bus in the capital.

Both these incidents have created a sense of insecurity among the public and especially for the nominated candidates. Political violence, however, has been creating an atmosphere of unease long before these recent incidents. According to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), political violence between September 2024 and 2025 left at least 160 people dead and over 8,000 others injured in 1,047 incidents. We urge the government to rigorously investigate the attack on Hadi and the arson attack on a bus. Hadi's assailants must be found and brought to book. It is unacceptable that candidates participating in the elections should have to face such insecurity. Unless the government investigates all political killings and punishes the perpetrators, the possibility of more such attacks and violence will increase. This may discourage voters from participating in the elections.

The general state of law and order, with assailants attacking victims in broad daylight in public places, demands that the government adopt effective strategies to ramp up security, especially in certain crime-prone areas all over the country, well ahead of the election day.

As we have reiterated many times, the leaders of political parties must also disassociate themselves from criminal elements who have been patronised for their "influence" in particular areas. The government must bring all such criminals under the purview of the law regardless of their political affiliations. Political parties must shun the age-old practice of confrontation and the use of violence and the legal system to harass, intimidate and remove political opponents. As the police have launched an investigation, identifying one suspect and seeking public assistance, we must refrain from making assumptions and jumping to conclusions. Engaging in a blame game only aggravates political tensions.

At the time of writing this article, Hadi is still fighting for his life; we hope and pray for his recovery and that his assailants are quickly caught.