Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday alleged that the field-level administration and law enforcement agencies have taken sides ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election, creating an environment that is not conducive to a free and fair vote.
The allegations were made by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of its media wing, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, while briefing journalists after an emergency meeting with the Election Commission (EC).
Zubair said the administration has become “one-sided” and is allegedly acting in favour of a particular party or group, which, he claimed, is undermining electoral neutrality.
He specifically accused police in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali of displaying extreme bias against Jamaat candidate Shafiqul Islam Masud.
According to him, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Bauphal Police Station has been conducting raids on Jamaat offices alongside BNP and Chhatra Dal activists. Jamaat has demanded the immediate removal of the OC, warning that a fair election would not be possible if he remains in office.
Zubair also alleged that Jamaat leaders and offices have come under repeated attacks in Dhaka-15, where Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman is contesting, and in Pabna.
He cited incidents in which the Pabna district ameer was assaulted, motorcycles were set ablaze and female party activists were attacked, claiming that local administrations and upazila officials failed to take effective action.
The party further alleged that women activists have been physically assaulted and harassed during campaign activities in Bauphal, Pabna and Dhaka, and that women voters are being intimidated in several areas.
Rejecting reports that Jamaat is producing large numbers of burqas for election purposes, Zubair described the claims as “fabricated” and politically motivated.
He said the rumours were aimed at creating fear among women voters and discouraging them from turning out at the polls.
He stressed that ensuring the safety of women voters-who make up nearly half of the electorate-is a key responsibility of the Election Commission.
Responding to a petition by 11 women’s organisations seeking the cancellation of Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman’s candidacy, Zubair said Jamaat respects women and reiterated the party’s claim that the controversial remarks attributed to the ameer were posted after his X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked.
He alleged that investigations traced the hacking to an email account linked to a Bangabhaban official, who has since been arrested.
Zubair said Jamaat also placed several demands before the EC, including enhanced security for its candidates, the issuance of vehicles and passes for the movement of central leaders, and ensuring a safe environment for journalists to work freely.
He added that the party is also informing diplomats about what it described as electoral irregularities.
