Poll violence in Bangladesh dismays Christians

Christian leaders including a Catholic bishop have condemned an unprecedented wave of bloodshed during Bangladesh's first attempt at allowing political parties to contest union council elections, the lowest tier of local government.

May 31, 2016

BANGLADESH: Christian leaders including a Catholic bishop have condemned an unprecedented wave of bloodshed during Bangladesh's first attempt at allowing political parties to contest union council elections, the lowest tier of local government.

At least 96 people have been killed and over 5,000 injured in pre and post poll violence since the six-phase elections began in March, local media reported.

Some reports put the casualty figure as much higher.

Most violence resulted from rivalry between candidates of the ruling Awami League Party and disenchanted party members who failed to secure the organization’s backing, observers said.

They called this year’s polls, which elect 4,554 councils and are held every five years, the "bloodiest in the country’s history."

The fifth-phase of the election was held on May 28, which saw 13 people killed and scores injured.

The sixth and final phase is scheduled for June 4, with many fearing another round of bloodshed.

A union council is tasked with overseeing agricultural, industrial and community development at grassroots level.

Until this year, the polls were non-partisan, but the Election Commission allowed political parties to contest them.

The decision to do so was a "big mistake" by the Election Commission and has polarized and divided people, Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi, chairman of Catholic Bishops’ Justice and Peace Commission, said May 30.

"In the past rural people had no partisan identity, but this election has divided them politically and it has fueled violence. Moreover, candidates are vying for power not out of desire to serve, but because of self-interest," Bishop Rozario told ucanews.com.

Money and muscle power have dominated the polls, and the poor and minority groups have been victimized, the prelate said.

"The violence shows there is a serious lack of civility and of a democratic attitude among people, which hurts peace and harmony in society," he added.

Deaths and violence during polls are outcome of the 'ill political culture,' says Nirmol Rozario, secretary of Bangladesh Christian Association.

"There are so many incidents of violence and deaths … because today we are living in a sickening political culture, where money dictates power and inflicts defeat on goodness," Rozario said.

"In the past, dedicated and selfless social activists used to engage in politics to serve, but the bad influence of money and muscle is slowly forcing enlightened and good people from engaging in politics," he said.

At a May 26 press conference, poll-monitoring group Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik, or Citizens for Good Governance, claimed 101 people were killed and 8,000 injured in the first four phases of the election.

The violence would have a negative impact on society and stir social unrest, Badiul Alam Majumder, the monitoring group's secretary said.

"Our political leaders need to realize that we are heading towards massive social unrest through this bloody and violent election.

"The Taliban emerged after the political system failed in Afghanistan, and this could happen in Bangladesh," Majumder said.--ucannews.com