Ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12, the Election Commission (EC) has issued directives to ensure security for seven leaders and candidates of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The directive was issued following an application submitted by the party to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on January 10, seeking security arrangements.

The leaders seeking security are Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, three Naib-e-Ameer -- Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, ATM Azharul Islam, and Mujibur Rahman -- and two Assistant Secretaries General Hamidur Rahman Azad and Rafiqul Islam Khan.

In its letter to the EC, Jamaat said the government and the commission were expected to take steps to improve the law-and-order situation following the announcement of the election and referendum schedule. However, it claimed no visible improvement has been observed.

The letter further stated that since the announcement, eight political leaders and activists, including Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, have been killed, while many others have been injured by gunfire.

Describing the situation as alarming, the party stressed the need for immediate and adequate security arrangements for political leaders and candidates.