DMP commissioner announces security measures for election candidates

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjad Ali has stated that necessary steps are being taken to ensure the security of candidates participating in the upcoming national election.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists following the annual general meeting of the Retired Police Officers Welfare Association, held at the Rajarbagh Police Lines Auditorium in the capital on Saturday.

When questioned specifically about candidate security in light of the recent shooting attack on Sharif Osman Hadi—an aspiring independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency and spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha—the commissioner reiterated, "We are taking appropriate measures to protect all candidates."

Regarding the investigation into the attackers who targeted Hadi, he said, "We are actively pursuing the leads. Less than 24 hours have passed since the incident, and we are confident in making progress soon."

On the size of the assailant group, he noted, "It is too early to provide details; the investigation is ongoing."

When pressed for the names of suspects, the commissioner responded, "We cannot disclose names at this stage. We are seeking public cooperation in the matter."

He further revealed, "One individual has been identified in connection with the shooting of Osman Hadi. Efforts are underway to arrest him and bring him to justice. For investigative reasons, we are withholding further details at present."

The attack occurred on Friday afternoon; just one day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th National Parliament election (set for February 12, 2026). 

Sharif Osman Hadi was shot while riding a battery-powered rickshaw on Box Culvert Road in the Bijoynagar area of the capital. 

He was initially rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital, where doctors have described his condition as critical.

Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage indicate that Hadi was travelling with associates when assailants on motorcycles approached, fired shots, and fled the scene. 

The motive remains unclear, though some reports note that an individual visible in the footage had been involved in Hadi's election campaign activities earlier that day.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Bangladesh. Political parties, election monitoring groups, and civil society organisations have strongly condemned the attack, viewing it not only as an assault on an individual candidate but as a broader threat to the country's democratic process and electoral integrity. 

Critics warn that without enhanced security, such violence could erode public confidence in the upcoming polls.

In response, protests—including road blockades, torchlight processions, demonstrations, and rallies—erupted in various parts of the country on Saturday, demanding swift justice and improved safeguards for electoral participants.