The statement said ANFREL believes that the absence of accountability, fairness and inclusivity in electoral processes risks lacking genuineness and electoral competitiveness.
It said this has created significant electoral challenges such as repression of the opposition, restrictions on political freedoms, limited access to unbiased information and widespread political violence.
The statement further said that in the current electoral environment plagued by electoral violence, mainly opposition parties and independent candidates are being targeted. There were reports of setting fire to election camps, throwing of crude bombs and violent clashes between supporters of the ruling Awami League (AL) and independent candidates from different parts of the country. These confrontations have resulted in many injuries and, tragically, the loss of lives. Above all, the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies have inadequately addressed the increasing political violence.
Referring to the recent incident of detention following the BNP’s October 28 rally in Dhaka, ANFREL said the government has unlawfully detained more than 21,000 BNP leaders and activists from October 28 through October 2023, raising serious human rights concerns. which has been further aggravated by the tragic deaths of nine. BNP leaders and workers detained.