Members of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and National Citizen Party (NCP) locked in clashed during a hearing on objections to parliamentary constituency boundaries at the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday.
The hearing, which started at noon at the EC headquarters in the capital in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, saw supporters of BNP Joint International Affairs Secretary and former MP Barrister Rumin Farhana clash with activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP).
The confrontation led to physical altercations, injuries, and loud exchanges.
NCP leaders claimed that three of their members — Aminul Haque Chowdhury, Mustafa Sumon, and Ataullah — were injured during the brawl.
“Rumin Farhana’s people attacked us inside the EC premises,” Aminul alleged.
“We came only to place our objections, yet we were beaten in front of the CEC. If this is how we are treated now, how can a free and fair election be held?” he added.
The violence erupted during hearings concerning Brahmanbaria-2 and Brahmanbaria-3 constituencies. Senior EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed reportedly tried but failed to stop the clashes.
Rumin Farhana later spoke to reporters, expressing disappointment at the incident.
“It’s extremely unfortunate,” she said, adding, “I appeared to present my own case as a lawyer. But the behaviour I witnessed was shameful. For 15 years, I have fought for BNP activists — and now they lay hands on me. If this is happening before the election over boundary disputes, what will happen during the polls?”
Rumin Farhana further alleged that supporters of her rival candidate in Brahmanbaria-3 brought “20 to 25 goons” who behaved aggressively inside the EC premises.
“They almost shoved me to the ground. If they push me, of course my people will respond in kind,” she remarked.
The altercation spilled outside the EC building, where police dispersed protesters and kept water cannons on standby to control the situation.
