Independent candidate for Barisal-5 (Sadar) constituency Salahuddin Ripon has accused Awami League leaders and activists of  disrupting the electoral environment in Barisal to favour their candidate, Zahid Farooque.

Ripon, speaking at a press conference held at the Barisal Press Club on Wednesday afternoon, alleged that government agency detectives are instilling fear among his election employees. He claims they are visiting homes, collecting names and addresses to exert undue pressure.

The independent candidate claimed these actions are gradually eroding the once stable election atmosphere in Barisal.

According to Ripon, Awami League leaders and activists are orchestrating a campaign to force him out of the election field.

The independent candidate went on to accuse activists and supporters of the Awami League-nominated candidate, State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Farooque, of obstructing his election campaign through various means. Incidents include threats of violence, physical assaults on election workers, molestation of women activists, and vandalism of campaign materials such as microphones and posters. The affected areas spanned Amanatganj, Sayestabad, and Rupatali in the city.

Recounting specific incidents, Ripon detailed an assault that took place on the afternoon of December 26. Following a meeting in the courtyard of Bukhainagar Secondary School, supporters of the Boat, under the leadership of Union Awami League convener Nurul Islam Master, allegedly assaulted Ripon and threatened his life.

Earlier, on December 24, a worker of the Boat symbol, Rezanur Rahman, was accused of attempting to molest one of Ripon's female workers. Nazmul and Arif Hossain, Ripon's workers, were seriously injured and hospitalized due to alleged beatings.

Ward No 22 witnessed further turmoil as Awami League activists, according to Ripon's allegations, targeted his election workers, snatched and vandalized microphones, and tore posters. Awami League leader Shahriar Sachib, alias Pandit Rajib, was accused of threatening a woman supporter in the Muslim Gorosthan Road area of Ward No 21, pressuring her to close her business.

In Charbaria Union and Kashipur's East Bilbabari area on the same afternoon, two of Ripon's workers were reportedly beaten. Additionally, Shakil, a worker of the Boat symbol, allegedly assaulted Ripon's worker, Dulal Sardar, in the Jharjhariya Tala area around 12 noon. By evening, Kashipur union member and Boat worker Masum Hawladar were said to have threatened Ripon's activists in the Bilbo Bari area.

Ripon declared that he is undeterred by these challenges and has promptly reported every incident to the administration and the Election Investigation Committee. On the same day, he filed a written complaint with the returning officer, emphasizing his desire for a fair election environment in the Sadar constituency.

Ripon expressed concern over government agency detectives going door-to-door, collecting names and addresses of his employees, and the prevention of opening an election office. He voiced apprehensions about the fairness of the elections should these actions persist, reinforcing his commitment to remain in the electoral field.

District Returning Officer Shahidul Islam acknowledged receiving Ripon's complaint and assured that an investigation would be conducted and appropriate action would be taken. Meanwhile, yesterday afternoon, the Boat symbol candidate held a public meeting in the Kakolir Mor area of the city.

Responding to these allegations, Boat candidate and State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Farooque vehemently denied them, labelling the accusations as false and fabricated. 

Farooque suggested that such claims were attempts by some candidates to gain unwarranted advantages and maintained his innocence, asserting that he neither misbehaved nor engaged in any form of terrorism.