Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Friday called on voters to cast a ‘Yes’ vote in favour of reform to ensure justice and prevent the return of misrule in Bangladesh.
Addressing an election rally at Noakhali Zilla School ground in the afternoon, he recalled what he described as memories of fifteen and a half years of misgovernance.
“We want to establish justice and build a Bangladesh free from misrule. To ensure that such misrule never returns, people must vote ‘Yes’ for reform on the 12th,” he said.
After the rally, Shafiqur Rahman introduced the candidates of the 11-party electoral alliance in Noakhali’s six constituencies and formally handed over election symbols to them.
He also issued a warning against extortion, calling it forbidden.
“Stop extortion. It is haram. Do not bring misfortune upon your families and children with unlawful money,” he said.
Urging people to share limited resources with restraint, he added that no one would be allowed to misuse public trust.
Speaking about electoral unity, the Jamaat chief said votes cast for any candidate within the alliance should be seen as support for all 11 symbols.
“We must work together like children of the same mother,” he said.
He referred to four constituencies contesting with the Daripalla (Scales) symbol and two with the Shapla Koli (Water Lily Bud symbol) and urged party activists to set aside grievances and remain united.
At a Noakhali election rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman vowed to establish a municipality in Subarnachar to honour a mother who suffered for voting for a particular symbol in 2018.
“I tried to reach the court of a distressed mother, who was tormented by hyenas for voting for a symbol. In her honour, if elected, we will make Subarnachar a municipality, InshaAllah,” he said.
Shafiqur also warned those who had been impatient or engaged in wrongdoing over the past year and a half. “For them, a warning has already begun,” he added.
The rally started at 9am under the chairmanship of Mohammad Ishak Khandakar, Jamaat candidate for Noakhali-4 and representative of the 11-party alliance. Shafiqur, along with local Jamaat and alliance leaders, addressed the gathering.
He assured voters that he understood the six key demands of the Noakhali people.
“These are the heartfelt demands of the residents. InshaAllah, we will implement them step by step, upholding the standards of justice. Allah Almighty will help us fulfil this pledge,” he said.
Candidates from the 11-party alliance in Noakhali were present, including Jamaat candidates for Noakhali-1, 3 and 4, NCP candidates for Noakhali-2 and 6, and Belyet Hossain for Noakhali-5.
