The UN in Bangladesh has expressed its concern over the assault on Ashraful Alom, also known as Hero Alom, an independent candidate during the Dhaka-17 by-polls on Monday (July 17).

Gwyn Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka on July 18 tweeted: " The fundamental human right of everyone to participate in elections without violence should be guaranteed and protected."

Earlier, the United States also urged the Bangladeshi government to conduct a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into any instances of violence and hold those responsible for the attack accountable.

Election Commissioner Md Alamgir, on July 17, said that the attack on Ashraful Alom during the Dhaka-17 by-polls was both unfortunate and unexpected.

Mohammad Ali Arafat, the winner of the Dhaka-17 by-polls, strongly condemned the incident that occurred just 20 minutes before the election's end. He also said that the involved people could not be supporters of Awami League and that the attack was intended to malign the election.

Arafat further stressed the importance of arresting the culprits and ensuring that justice is served.

Ashraful Alom, an independent candidate known as "Hero Alom," was physically assaulted while leaving a polling center in the Banani area on July 17.

Hero Alom was physically assaulted while leaving a polling centre in the Banani area on July 17.

BDST: 1154 HRS, JULY 18, 2023
MSK/SMS