BNP candidate for Laxmipur-3 constituency Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee today said that he would welcome his party if it takes decision to quit the December 30 national election race.

“I will welcome if the election coordination committee of my party quits the polls as there is no atmosphere for the election in the country,” Anee, also publicity affairs secretary of BNP, told The Daily Star this evening.

He said the ruling party leaders and activists and the members of law enforcement agencies are engaged in carrying out terrorist activities in his electoral area.

“I could not carry out electioneering in my area. Under this situation, I informed my party that I would welcome its decision if it quits the polls,” the BNP leader said.

On Monday, Anee came under attack in Shantirhat area of Laxmipur upazila that left 30 of his followers including three journalists injured, the BNP leader alleged.

“My party men are being attacked. Even their residences are also being vandalised. The returning officer is not picking up my phone call,” he said.

The congenial atmosphere is totally absent in the area for holding the election in a free, fair and credible manner, the BNP leader said.

Anee is contesting the polls against Awami League candidate AKM Shajahan Kamal and Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Md Ibrahim.

The United States is concerned on the high-level of pre-election violence over the last two weeks, which the oppositions have borne the brunt.

"All parties have been victims of violence including minorities and female candidates. However, it appears that the opposition candidates had borne the brunt of most violence,” US Ambassador Earl Robert Miller said.

He came up with the comments while briefing journalists after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the Nirbachon Bhaban in Dhaka today.

He appreciated the opportunity to consult with the commission to see what plans it has made for a conducive atmosphere which would allow all people of every political affiliation to feel safe to go to the polling stations on the election day and cast their votes for their candidates of choice.

US wishes a free, fair and peaceful election will be held in Bangladesh on December 30, the statement said.

Just days ahead of the 11th national elections, Election Commissioner Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury today said “situation is under control”.

He came up with the remark in response to a query by reporters at the Election Commission in Dhaka’s Agargaon this afternoon.

Shahadat’s comment comes a day after Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar expressed grave concern over the ongoing spate of violence ahead of the polls scheduled to be held on December 30.

Hoping for a free, fair and peaceful election, Shahadat said, “I admit that anxiety grew among people centering the election. I want to term it political heat”.

He said he did not think that the situation was deteriorating ahead of the polls.

WHAT DID ELECTION COMMISSIONER MAHBUB SAY YESTERDAY?

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder expressed grave concern over the recent incidents of violence.

Saying that violence and election cannot go hand in hand, he added,“If we cannot hold a peaceful election in a violence-free environment after 47 years of independence, the sacrifice of 30 lakh martyrs for independence and democracy will go in vain. We cannot allow this to happen.”