Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Monday said that the injury suffered by Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s mayoral candidate Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim in the Barishal City Corporation election allegedly in the hands of the AL rival’s supporters was a ‘relative’ issue.
‘Has he died? No, how much is he... What we saw, we didn’t see him bleed. As far as I heard, someone punched him from behind. I have also heard his statement — he also said that voting was not being obstructed… “I have been attacked”,’ the CEC said while talking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.
The CEC said that upon learning about the attack strict action was taken against those responsible.
‘Voting was not disrupted due to this incident. Apart from two isolated incidents, the election was conducted in a beautiful and smooth manner. The commission is satisfied,’ he said.
In response to a question, the CEC said that they expected that 42 to 45 per cent votes were cast in Khulna and 50 per cent in Barishal.
IAB contestant Faizul Karim on Monday alleged that ruling Awami league men swopped on him and his supporters, leaving him and several others injured.
‘Activists of the AL mayoral candidate barred me from entering the Kawnia centre when I tried to lodge a complaint with the presiding officer. Several of my supporters and I were injured in the attack,’ Faizul Karim told the press.
