Ahead of the 13th National Parliament election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded that the interim government create a level playing field across the country.
After a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday evening, the party’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, said this to journalists during a press briefing.
He said, “The police, Election Commission, and administration have allegiance to one party. When we go to them, they say there is tremendous pressure. This pressure is being applied from one party’s side. The situation is the same in the police.”
Pointing out that the majority of government lawyers in the country’s courts are followers of a particular political party, he said, “We have stated that this imbalance across the country should be addressed; create a level playing field. Make the necessary transfers and postings before the election as required.”
In response, the chief adviser informed the Jamaat delegation that transfers would be carried out using a lottery system before the election.
However, this Jamaat leader also mentioned that they cautioned that this lottery should be conducted through a transparent process.
Others in the Jamaat delegation who met with the chief adviser included the party’s Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, and Rafiqul Islam Khan.
The Nayeb-e-Ameer further said, “Regarding these reforms, who will issue this declaration, this order? This question was raised. So we have said, if it is covered by the law and there is no legal discrepancy, then we want the chief adviser to issue this order, not the president. Because you know whose product the president is. They told me they will review the legal aspect. If there is no legal problem, then the chief adviser, not the President, should issue this announcement.”
Informing that they have requested to hold a public referendum in November, Taher said, “We said to hold the referendum by the end of November; there is more than a month. Then there will be another two and a half months until the election. Some are talking about the cost, but it won’t cost much. We will buy the boxes for two elections. We will need some extra ink, a small piece of paper, and travel expenses.”
The Jamaat leaders have informed the chief adviser that if a fair national election can be achieved by spending some extra money, then it should be done.
Emphasising that a fair, impartial, and participatory election based on consensus is essential for stabilising the country, he said, “I call upon everyone to ensure we can proceed to the election in February without creating any complications.”
Jamaat leaders have also expressed concern to Muhammad Yunus that the law-and-order situation is deteriorating in various parts of the country, and if this cannot be stopped, it will create uncertainty regarding the election.
When asked if they said anything about the government’s advisers, the Nayeb-e-Ameer said, “We told the chief adviser that some people mislead you. We have confidence in you. They work in favour of a certain party; you must be cautious about them.”
