Elections should occur according to the rules outlined in the July Charter, as stated by Jamaat.
Jamaat-e-Islami Protests for Fair Elections in Bangladesh
A protest rally and march were held today in the capital's Bijoynagar and Paltan areas, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The event took place at 5pm, initiated by Dhaka Metropolitan Jamaat (North and South).
The rally was presided over by the party's central executive council member and Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former MP, was the keynote speaker.
Taher emphasized the need for a free, fair, and impartial election that transcends mere "selection" and genuinely reforms the political system in line with public aspirations following the July Charter. He questioned the necessity of reforms being implemented after going to parliament, suggesting they could be done now.
Taher also expressed concern about a possible conspiracy to carry out the election according to a certain design and deprive people of their right to vote. He warned that if a staged election takes place under a foreign design, the people will secure a fair election with their lives and blood, Inshallah. However, he did not specify which "friends" he was referring to in his statement about reforms.
The protest rally did not make any new demands or statements beyond those already mentioned. Taher did express confusion about those who claim not to understand Proportional Representation (PR), citing a survey showing 71% of people want elections under the PR system. The nature of the "conspiracy" Taher previously mentioned regarding the election was not further elaborated upon.
Jamaat-e-Islami currently supports holding the next national election with a demand for a fair and equal playing field for all political parties and insists on the PR system for these elections. The party has expressed no objection to elections being held in February, April, or December, provided the election process is free and fair and the government completes necessary reforms.
The organization wants to participate in the election but demands clarity on matters ensuring fairness. Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan attended the protest rally as a special guest.
This position reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s broader call for a free, fair, and impartial election that transcends mere “selection” and genuinely reforms the political system in line with public aspirations following the July Charter. The party is actively building public support for the PR system through meetings and rallies nationwide and has presented their demands—including legal recognition of the July Declaration and July Charter—both to the government and the people.
However, there is a notable political disagreement, as the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) opposes the PR system, arguing that the populace is not accustomed to it, which indicates the Jamaat is pushing a somewhat distinct electoral agenda within the opposition.
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