The ruling Awami League has largely allowed independent candidates to contest the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections in a bid to boost voter turnout, as the real opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has boycotted the elections.
But as soon as independent and Awami League-nominated candidates began campaigning after the election symbols were allotted by the Election Commission, clashes broke out within hours among their supporters.
Attacks were reported from at least eight constituencies between Monday night and Tuesday night and supporters of independent candidates blamed supporters of Awami League candidates for all the incidents.
After the allocation of election symbols, on the second day of election campaign, there were reports of violation of election code of conduct from many places.
Awami League candidate from Narayanganj-3, Abdullah Al Qaiser Hasnat, took out a procession on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway. More than 100 motorcycles took part in the procession, disrupting traffic.
Awami League candidate MA Latif also campaigned on busy roads in Pathabatuli ward of Chattogram city, disrupting vehicular movement.
With more than two weeks left, Awami League policymakers fear tensions are likely to escalate towards the end of the election campaign. However, Awami League leaders feel that law enforcement agencies will remain vigilant.
On Tuesday, clashes broke out between supporters of independents and Awami League-nominated candidates in Jashore, Joypurhat, Pabna, Jamalpur, Kushtia, Natore, Tangail and Savar in Dhaka, leaving several people injured. Attacks were also reported.
Additionally, supporters of Awami League nominated candidate Shamim Haq reportedly stopped the campaign of independent candidate AK Azad in Faridpur and snatched his pamphlets.