3 days to poll, Bangladesh streets turn violent; 40 injured in BNP-Jamaat clash

With just days left before Bangladesh's crucial general election, escalating violence highlights the intense political rivalry and uncertainty gripping the nation. The upcoming vote is seen as a pivotal moment promising significant change after years of political dominance by the Awami League.

With just 72 hours to go before Bangladesh votes in a high-stakes general election, fresh violence has erupted, underlining the volatility of the campaign in a country undergoing its most dramatic political shift in decades.

More than 40 people, including women, were injured late last night in clashes between workers of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, after accusations of cash distribution at a Jamaat programme spiralled into street violence. The incident comes days before polling on February 12 and hours before campaigning is set to end on February 10 at 7.30 am.

The violence broke out after BNP workers accused Jamaat-e-Islami of distributing money to attendees at a late-night programme. According to accounts from the scene, BNP activists reached the venue to lodge a protest, following which Jamaat mobilised its own supporters.

What followed was a fierce confrontation that continued into the night, leaving over 40 people injured. This is being described as the most violent episode of the ongoing election campaign between the two rival camps.

Over the past six weeks, more than five people have been injured in election-related violence across Bangladesh, signalling a steady escalation as polling day approaches.

The February 12 general election is widely seen as a bipolar contest between the BNP and a coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami. More than 127 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in what analysts describe as the most consequential election since 2009.