Jamaat-e-Islami will urge Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to cancel the 13th parliamentary polls if it is not held in a free and fair manner.
Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher made the remark on Monday at a roundtable titled “Inclusive and Fair National Election: Civil Society Expectations from Political Parties” held at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar.
He added, “In our meeting with the chief adviser, we told him that there should be dialogue with mainstream political parties. The government will commit to a fair election, and political parties will pledge not to violate the code of conduct.
“Those commitments will be broadcast on television. If the election is still not fair, the Chief Adviser must announce its cancellation and arrange a fresh election.”
The interim government has announced plans to hold the 13th parliamentary election in February next year.
Taher further said, “If political parties are sincere and the administration remains neutral, a free election is possible. Whoever wins in a fair election, Jamaat will greet them with garlands. One major reason for the failures of the past 54 years is the absence of fair elections.
“If this election becomes free and fair, it will be the rebirth of our democracy.”
He added, “Bangladesh has seen many struggles and changes, but those who came to power did not work to fulfill people’s expectations. Instead, corruption, inequality and bad governance have caused decay in society.
“But the July uprising is an exception, because it came from ordinary people – farmers, workers, day labourers.”
Taher said the current leadership must not ignore these groups because change has come through their participation. Responding to a question from the moderator, the Jamaat leader added that their priorities in power would be tackling corruption and creating employment.
He pointed out, “Corruption is a major cause of poverty. If accountability can be ensured in the administration, corruption can be reduced. We are working for fundamental reform.”
Earlier, the recommendations from roundtable discussions held in nine districts were presented by ActionAid Bangladesh Women Rights Lead Morium Nesa. The session was moderated by ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, National Citizen Party Member Secretary Akhter Hossein, Communist Party of Bangladesh General Secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan, Amar Bangladesh Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, Garments Workers Solidarity President Taslima Akhter, former adviser to the caretaker government Rasheda K Choudhury, Dhaka University Professor Kazi Maruful Islam, The Hunger Project Country Director Prashanta Tripura, Narir Rajnaitik Odhikar Forum organiser Mahrukh Mohiuddin and East West University student and former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Nazifa Jannat also spoke at the discussion.
