Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayed-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has called upon the Election Commission to announce an electoral roadmap with the Proportional Representation (PR) system in mind, stating that it is unclear from the EC’s announced roadmap which electoral system will be used.
“This issue must be clarified first,” he said. “Because we do not want elections under the existing system.”
Taher made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organised by the Islamic Dhaka Metropolis South branch at the National Press Club on Thursday afternoon. The discussion was held to demand legal validation of the July Declaration and the July Charter, and to hold the upcoming national parliamentary elections under the PR system.
The Jamaat leader said that the July Declaration and the July Charter must be given legal basis, and the next national parliamentary elections must be held under the PR system. Otherwise, he added, doubts will remain regarding a fair election and, if a fair election is not held this time, the country will face a major crisis.
He said that after the interim government came to power, they promised reforms. “The people of the country also want reforms. But one party in this reform process has submitted a note of dissent. Does that mean you do not want reforms? It seems to us as if someone has given instructions to the chief adviser. Let him clarify; we will confront them.”
Taher also said, “We have called for elections under the PR system. We never want to return to the Awami era. Those who are opposing this fair PR system are planning to capture polling centres and rig votes.”
He further added, “Those who want PR, come, let there be a discussion. Whatever is beneficial for the country will be accepted. But conflict of opinions does not bring anything good.”
He stated, “We had no objection regarding the month of the election. But the election date has been announced without completing the reforms. We want the election on the date you announced. But before that, resolve all the obstacles to the election.”
The meeting was chaired by Central Executive Council member and Ameer of Dhaka Metropolis South, Nurul Islam Bulbul, with the party’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim as special guest.