Tensions boiled over in Bangladesh’s national elections on Thursday, with deadly violence at several polling booths highlighting the perilous state of democracy. A senior BNP figure lost his life in Khulna, amplifying fears of widespread disorder in a vote already marred by opposition withdrawal.
The trouble started shortly after polls opened. At Alia Madrasa in Khulna, BNP’s Mohibuzzaman Kochi died following a scuffle with Jamaat-e-Islami backers. According to local BNP leader Yusuf Harun Majnu, the madrasa head was openly rallying for Jamaat. Kochi’s attempt to halt this led to a push, slamming him into a tree and causing lethal head trauma.
Sub-Inspector Khan Faisal Rafi intervened promptly, dispersing the crowds. Medical staff at Khulna City Medical College confirmed Kochi arrived lifeless. Meanwhile, Gopalganj’s Reshma International School became a blast site when cocktails exploded outside, wounding two Ansar guards, a paramilitary member, and a young boy. Sub-Inspector Zaidul Islam noted the attack came from across a canal, disrupting smooth voting.
Explosions and fights erupted in Munshiganj too. Jamaat’s Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair blasted the government in a morning briefing, claiming systematic assaults on its cadre and voter suppression. He demanded neutral policing from officials and the Election Commission.
Bangladesh’s elections unfold against a backdrop of BNP-led boycott, mass detentions, and Awami League dominance. Analysts warn that such violence could delegitimize results, fueling protests and instability. With millions voting under tight security, the nation watches warily as isolated incidents threaten to spiral into broader conflict.