Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher has claimed of observing major discrimination during the scrutiny of nomination papers.
Making these remarks after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, Taher further said, “We [Jamaat] have observed major discrimination in the selection of candidates. We have also seen inconsistency in the administration’s decisions.
“In cases of dual citizenship involving similar circumstances, nominations have been accepted in some places and rejected in others.”
He continued, “For example, nominations have been accepted for Abdul Awal Mintoo, Abdul Malek (BNP candidate from Sylhet), and several others among nearly 12-13 candidates.
“However, our candidate from Kurigram, Barrister Mahbub Salehin, has had his nomination cancelled for the same type of issue. We have drawn the EC’s attention to this.”
Taher added, “During the Awami League regime, three of our leaders were punished illegally. Among them, nominations for two have been accepted. In the same case, from the same court, the nomination of our senior leader Hamidur Rahman Azad has been cancelled.
“So, two different decisions have been made under the same law in one country. We have informed them of this and protested.”
Explaining the reason, Taher said, “Partisan deputy commissioners have been appointed in various places. They have looked at things from a partisan perspective, not the law. These DCs and SPs must be removed and replaced with neutral officers.”
“Secondly, we said there is currently no level playing field. One party is being given extensive campaigning opportunities. Because they are not neutral. He largely acknowledged it and spoke of helplessness.”
The Jamaat nayeb-e-ameer pointed out, “Some individuals are being given a lot of security, while other leaders of the same level are not getting it. Giving more or less protection is not our issue.
“Since this is election time, there are questions in the public mind. It would not be an issue at another time.”
Noting that attention has also been drawn to violations of the campaign and code of conduct, he said, “One party is distributing VGF cards, agriculture cards, and family cards and saying, everyone will get them if we come to power.
“This is a clear violation of the code of conduct. We have informed them. The EC has assured that they will act if such things happen. We are still waiting.”
Highlighting that CCTV is essential for a fair election, Taher said, “The Election Commission has agreed in principle and informed us that CCTV will be installed in at least 90 per cent of centres, except for areas without electricity or remote areas. We want this assurance to be implemented.”
The Jamaat leader added, “We want a fair election on a level playing field. Because the main reason for today’s problems in Bangladesh is the absence of a fair election in the past 56 years.
“If the upcoming election is another case like this, Bangladesh will face an existential crisis and move towards a more dangerous situation.”
He added, “If one party does this and is in exile, then if another party does it, they will also eventually go into exile. Then if another party does it, they will go too. If this continues, there will be no political parties left in the country at some point.”
Asked whether they had given the EC any list of DCs and SPs, Taher said, “We have not given a list of DCs and SPs. We are observing and will provide a list. We are gathering evidence.” The Jamaat leader hopes the EC will take action if a list is provided with proper evidence.
Regarding discussions in a meeting with BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, he said, “We have not had any formal meeting with Tarique Rahman. We went to offer condolences after his mother Khaleda Zia’s death.
“What we said is that whatever the result after the election, we will all accept each other. There should be discussion among us regarding governing the country, and we want to move the country forward through mutual cooperation.”
