Rumeen Farhana warns of ‘August 5 like’ situation if election neutrality is compromised

Barrister Rumeen Farhana, an independent candidate for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, has cautioned that anything resembling the July Uprising could erupt in any constituency if neutrality of the administration, the Election Commission, or the government comes into question during the upcoming national election.
 

Speaking at a yard meeting at Chanpur Bazar in Kalikachchh union of Sarail upazila, she said, “It is the responsibility of the administration and the Election Commission to ensure that each of the nearly half a million voters in my constituency can go to polling centres safely and cast their votes freely and without fear.”
 

“If there is any lapse in neutrality, everyone should remember August 5. What happened across Bangladesh on August 5 can happen in any constituency,” Rumeen said.
 

Her remarks came a day after a mobile court shut down her gathering at Islamabad in Noagaon union of Sarail upazila over alleged violations of the electoral code of conduct. During the operation, one of her supporters was fined Tk 40,000. A video of her heated exchange with the executive magistrate later went viral on social media.
 

Authorities have since sought legal action against Rumeen. Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer Md Abubakar Sarkar submitted an application to the Election Investigation and Judicial Committee of Brahmanbaria‑2 constituency.
 

The application alleges that Rumeen organised the January 17 gathering without prior permission, violating Section 18 of the Electoral Code of Conduct 2025.
 

It further claims she behaved aggressively towards the executive magistrate, making threatening gestures and verbal warnings in English, while her supporters provoked the crowd, creating a “mob‑like” situation.