The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has strongly condemned the growing wave of election related violence across the country ahead of the upcoming 13th national elections, expressing deep concern over casualties and what it described as a dangerous return to the politics of revenge, intimidation and chaos.
In a statement, HRSS said incidents of clashes, attacks, vandalism and arson have been reported nationwide involving potential candidates as well as deprived workers and supporters of different political parties.
The organisation documented destruction of banners and festoons, assaults on candidates, highway blockades, tyre burning demonstrations and attacks on homes and offices in multiple districts.
Citing reports published in various media outlets and information collected over the past four months, HRSS said at least 981 people belonging to different political parties have been injured and five people killed in at least 113 incidents linked to election campaigning.
The most recent fatal incident occurred on January 28, 2026, in Sherpur 3 Srivardi Jhenaigati constituency, where Srivardi Upazila Jamaat secretary Rezaul Karim was killed and hundreds injured during a clash between BNP and Jamaat leaders and activists over seating arrangements at a manifesto release ceremony of rival candidates.
Earlier, on January 16, Md Nazrul Islam, a supporter of BNP rebel candidate Salman Omar, was killed in Mymensingh 1 Haluaghat Dhobaura constituency. It is alleged that he died following an attack by supporters of the BNP candidate.
On December 18, Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi died in a hospital in Singapore after a week long struggle for life. He had been critically injured on December 12 when assailants shot him in the head in broad daylight in Dhaka's Paltan Bijaynagar area. Osman Hadi was described as a thoughtful political figure and an important voice of the mass uprising who had been campaigning as a potential candidate for Dhaka 8.
On November 5, Sarwar Hossain alias Babla, 43, was shot dead while participating in an election rally with a BNP candidate in Chattogram. Three others, Ershad Ullah, Sarwar and Shanto, including the BNP candidate and the city BNP convener, were injured in the attack. Sarwar died on the spot.
In another incident, Chhatra Dal activist Tanjin Ahmed, 30, was killed in clashes between rival groups over BNP nomination disputes in Mymensingh 3 Gouripur constituency. Tanjin Ahmed was the son of late Abul Hossain of Daulat Munshi Road area in Mymensingh city.
HRSS also expressed grave concern over violence against women activists, stating that several women from different parties were subjected to political retaliation during campaigning, including assault, beating, humiliation, obstruction of campaign activities, harassment, forced removal of hijab, physical and mental torture, cyberbullying, kidnapping and pushing and shoving.
The organisation said such acts amount to direct interference in political, civil and voting rights, personal liberty, freedom of expression and constitute gender based discrimination in a democratic society.
HRSS observed that aggressive campaigning, threats, propaganda, falsehoods and hate speech by candidates against rival parties are fuelling retaliation and violence among leaders, activists and supporters, calling the trend "in no way desirable."
Recalling the era of "unacceptable" national and local elections under the previous Awami League government, HRSS said practices such as obstruction of campaigns, intimidation of candidates, vote rigging, forced disenfranchisement, occupation of polling centres and vote trading had become routine amid politics of violence and revenge. Despite reforms following August 5, 2024, the organisation noted with concern that similar patterns are now re emerging in the current electoral environment.
HRSS demanded exemplary punishment of those involved in election violence by bringing them under the law and urged the government to strengthen the active role of law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law.
The rights body also called on all political parties to reject revenge politics and embrace coexistence, stating that only by renouncing violence and chaos can a fair, acceptable and participatory election process be ensured.
