Brigadier General M. Sakhawat Hussain speaks to DOT :
The motorcade of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came under attack in Thakurgaon on Tuesday as he was entering the district to campaign for the upcoming elections. Awami Jubo League leader Mohammad Hanif was also shot and hacked to death by unidentified assailants in Noakhali Sadar upazila on the same day.
AKM Nurul Huda, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has said that the Election Commission (EC) is embarrassed over the recent attack on Fakhrul. He has also expressed shock over the murder of Hanif. CEC said: “Life is more precious than any election. The cost of a human life far exceeds the cost of conducting election in 300 constituencies. “We have to find a way to prevent such incidents in the future. We are urging leaders, activists and supporters of all political parties to keep their patience, and refrain from further disrupts during the election campaign. Please show respect for democratic and basic human rights, and do not engage in illegal and anti-election activities.”
In this regard, Brigadier General M. Sakhawat Hussain said that we appreciate that EC has expressed sorrow over these incidents. However; mere expression of sorrow won’t suffice. EC is empowered to take whatever action is required following these incidents in order to prevent spread of violence in the country. EC must take necessary actions immediately to establish its control on the overall situation of the country.
Interviewed by Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed, Executive Editor, Daily Our Time.