Violence, bomb attacks, clashes reported as Bangladesh holds first-phase polling

The first phase of voting in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government began on Thursday amid reports of violence, clashes and bomb attacks from multiple districts. The election, seen as a crucial step toward restoring democratic stability, has been overshadowed by incidents that raised concerns over security and fairness.

In Gopalganj’s Sadar area, unidentified miscreants allegedly hurled crude bombs at a polling station, injuring two security personnel and a 13-year-old girl. Police said the bombs were thrown from a nearby canal toward the polling premises, triggering panic among voters and officials.

The most serious incident was reported from Khulna, where a violent clash broke out between activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. Senior BNP leader Mohibuzzaman Kocchi was killed after sustaining a head injury during an altercation reportedly triggered by a dispute over campaigning inside the Alia Madrasa polling centre. The incident led to heightened tension across Khulna district, with additional security forces deployed to prevent further escalation.

In Dhaka, allegations of electoral malpractice emerged from the Manipur Girls’ High School polling centre in Mirpur, where miscreants allegedly intimidated officials, snatched ballot papers and attempted ballot stuffing. Incidents of bomb attacks and clashes were also reported from Munshiganj, prompting administrative intervention. Viral videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes at some booths, with voters reportedly expressing fear.

Despite the violence, the Election Commission stated that polling was proceeding peacefully at most stations. Nearly 900,000 security personnel, including members of the army, Rapid Action Battalion and police, have been deployed across the country. With the Awami League absent from the contest, the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have emerged as principal contenders, making the outcome pivotal for Bangladesh’s political future.