The Boat candidate for the Barisal-5 seat, Awami League leader, and Minister of State for Water Resources, Colonel (Retd) Zaheed Farooque Shamim, made explosive comments during a press conference at the Shaheed Abdur Rab Serniabat Barisal Press Club on Saturday afternoon. He explicitly stated that the BNP was not involved in the attack, fire, or terrorist activities at the polling station in Barisal. He attributed the incident to individuals associated with an independent candidate whose nomination had been cancelled. 

Notably, the nomination paper of Barisal's former mayor, Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, an independent candidate, was ultimately cancelled on January 2.

Zaheed Farooq Shamim mentioned, 'The supporters of the disqualified candidate are present on the truck belonging to independent candidate Salahuddin Ripon, fostering a climate of terror and chaos in the Barisal five constituencies.

Boat candidate Shamim stated that truck candidate Salahuddin Ripon is straightforward without such misguided intentions. He clarified that the moment Sadiq's supporters aligned with Ripon after the nomination cancellation, Barisal's law and order situation started to deteriorate. According to reports from various intelligence agencies, these acts of terrorism are being orchestrated by certain leaders and workers in collusion with a policeman, all of whom falsely implicate both the BNP and the boat candidate.

As per reports on January 4, followers of Sadiq Abdullah, under the leadership of Awami League leader Mahbubuddin Bir Bikram, joined forces with independent candidate Salahuddin Ripon. On Friday night, Salahuddin Ripon's residence was attacked, and multiple polling stations were set ablaze. During a Saturday morning press conference, Ripon attributed the incident to supporters of the boat candidate. Awami League leader Mahbub Uddin Bir Bikram was also at this press conference. In a subsequent counter-press conference, boat candidate Shamim held Sadiq's supporters responsible for the incident.

Opposition parties, including the BNP, advocating for a boycott, have consistently accused Awami League activists of igniting polling stations, assaulting candidates' residences, and even targeting law enforcement agencies to retain unlawful power while placing blame on the BNP. During a press conference, Zahid Farooq Shamim, the Boat candidate for the Barisal-5 constituency, substantiated these claims, affirming the truth behind these allegations.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader mentioned that he had received information suggesting directives originating from London, indicating a potential for sabotage in Bangladesh before the election.

In response, former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Noor asserted that he possesses information indicating the ruling party orchestrated fires at several court centres and launched attacks on candidates, pinning the blame on the opposition BNP.

The Election Commission had repeatedly promised action against those disrupting the voting process. The public is eager to learn what measures, if any, have been taken against former Barisal mayor Sadiq Abdullah.

Multiple potential polling stations across the country have been set ablaze in recent days. Additionally, in certain areas, candidates' residences were targeted. Following these incidents, cases were filed against local BNP leaders and workers.