Eight political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission (EC) demanding that a national referendum be held in November and the July National Charter be implemented.
The parties also held a brief rally in front of the EC headquarters at Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon and near the nearby Metro Rail station, where they set up a temporary stage on a truck.
Leaders of Jamaat addressed the gathering, urging the EC to issue constitutional orders to implement the July National Charter and ensure a referendum before the next parliamentary election. They warned that failure to guarantee equal opportunities for all political parties could lead the commission to face consequences similar to those of its predecessor.
Since September 30, the eight parties — including Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, National Democratic Party, and Bangladesh Development Party — have been carrying out a joint campaign with five key demands.
At the rally, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim, along with leaders Mobarak Hossain, Rezaul Karim, and Nazim Uddin Molla, spoke before hundreds of party activists.
Nazim Uddin said the referendum must be held in November, adding that all eight parties would continue submitting memoranda to the EC until their demands are met.
Islami Andolan leaders echoed the call, urging that there be no delay in holding the referendum before the next parliamentary polls. They also criticised the BNP’s election-related demands.
Their five demands are:
Issuance of orders to implement the July National Charter and hold a referendum by November.
Introduction of proportional representation (PR) in both parliamentary chambers in the next general election.
Ensuring a level playing field for free, fair, and acceptable elections.
Visible prosecution of all atrocities, genocide, and corruption committed by the ‘fascist’ government.
Banning the activities of the National Party, accused of supporting autocracy, and the 14-party alliance.
