Dhaka, Feb. 8 -- The Election Working Alliance (EWA) on Sunday voiced deep concern over a sharp rise in violations of the electoral code of conduct, violence, intimidation, hate speech targeting women, and other threats as the polling day approaches.

The concerns were raised at a roundtable titled "Ensuring a Violence-Free and Fair Election: Essential Responsibilities of the Election Commission and the Government," organised by the organisation at the Jatiya Press Club.

Presenting field-level data collected nationwide, Rafiquzzaman Ruman, head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Manarat International University, said at least 275 incidents involving code violations, violence, harassment, humiliation and attacks against ...