Dhaka, Dec. 13 -- Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent contender for the Dhaka-8 parliamentary seat and spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha platform, is fighting for his life after being shot at in a targeted attack in the capital on Friday afternoon, barely 24 hours after the national election schedule was announced.

The incident has thrown a harsh spotlight on the rising tension and unease surrounding the country's election season.

Witnesses said Hadi was travelling by rickshaw in the Bijoynagar-Paltan area when two men on a motorcycle approached and opened fire at close range.

The road was unusually quiet due to the holiday, allowing the gunmen to flee within seconds. CCTV footage captured the moment the attacker fired before speeding ...