The Islami Andolon Bangladesh’s protest march towards the Election Commission (EC) building ended at Shantinagar amid police intervention.
The IAB leaders and activists assembled at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and brought out the procession from there around 3:30pm on Wednesday (15 November).
The police intervened and blocked the march as it reached the Shantinagar area around 4pm, resulting in the IAB activists concluding the protest there.
Later, the IAB protesters started moving towards Baitul Mukarram.
Earlier on Tuesday, the party announced the plan to hold a protest march towards the Election Commission (EC) building if the election schedule is announced without reaching a political consensus.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal is set to unveil the schedule for the 12th national election at 7pm today amid an escalating political crisis over the election-time government.
Meanwhile, security measures have been intensified around the Election Commission building ahead of the anticipated announcement, with additional forces from the police, RAB, and BGB have been deployed in the vicinity. Armoured personnel carriers and water cannons were observed outside the Election Commission office in Agargaon on Wednesday morning.
The political impasse persists with no signs of resolution, as both the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP remain entrenched in their positions ahead of the national elections, which could be as early as the first week of January.
While the BNP and other opposition parties demand the ouster of the government and national polls under a neutral caretaker government, the ruling Awami League maintains the election will be held as per the constitution and under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On Tuesday (14 November), six Islamic parties urged the Election Commission to refrain from announcing the specifics of the national election until a non-partisan government is established for the electoral process.
