Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s manifesto for the 13th parliamentary election has been prepared with a strong anti-corruption and anti-extortion stance, placing emphasis on implementing the spirit of the July Uprising.
The manifesto prioritises structural state reforms through the July National Charter, safe workplaces and education for women, job creation, and a balance between the spirit of July and the Liberation War, senior Jamaat leaders confirmed to TIMES of Bangladesh.
Spanning nearly 25 points across the economy, administration, judiciary, education, health, women and youth development, and international relations, Jamaat is expected to announce the manifesto within the next one or two days. The announcement, initially scheduled for Sunday, was later deferred.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad told TIMES that the party would present a timely manifesto aimed at building a new Bangladesh while maintaining balance across sectors. He said the spirit of July would be highlighted alongside recognition of the Liberation War.
After independence, Jamaat-e-Islami was banned amid allegations that its leaders had sided with Pakistan and were involved in war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War. The ban was later lifted, allowing the party to return to politics.
The party was banned again in 2013 following a court verdict during the second term of the Awami League government. After the Awami League government fell in the mass uprising on 5 August 2024, the newly formed interim government withdrew the ban.
Against this backdrop, Jamaat plans to pledge in its manifesto that all existing benefits and facilities for freedom fighters will be retained, signalling an effort to move beyond past controversies.
Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s media division, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, said the manifesto would be presented not merely as election promises but as a long-term roadmap for governing the state. He said people from different professions had been consulted to ensure diversity of thought and reflect collective thinking.
The outline of the manifesto emerged on 20 January at a policy summit held at a five-star hotel in the capital, where Jamaat presented its governing vision and core policy framework in the presence of diplomats from more than 35 countries and prominent figures from various sectors.
Priority for youth and July fighters
The manifesto places special emphasis on youth, particularly participants in the July 2024 mass uprising – referred to as “July fighters” – as well as educated unemployed youth and the development of skilled human resources.
Employment generation, technical and technology-based training, and entrepreneurship development feature prominently.
July National Charter and state reform
Party sources said the manifesto would commit to implementing key reform proposals raised by the National Consensus Commission formed after the July 2024 uprising, including reforms to the constitution, the electoral system, administration and judicial independence.
As part of the July National Charter, Jamaat plans to pursue fundamental state reforms if a “Yes” vote passes in the referendum, scheduled for election day, aiming to prevent the return of authoritarian rule and ensure sustainable governance.
Tough stance against corruption and extortion
Jamaat says corruption and weak governance remain the main barriers to development and investment, placing their eradication at the top of its priorities.
In the context of corruption and extortion allegations that surfaced nationwide against the Awami League after the government’s fall on 5 August last year, the manifesto states that a cleansing drive would be launched if the party came to power.
As such, Jamaat’s election slogan has been set: “Building a country free of corruption and extortion.
Women voters and safe workplaces
With women accounting for more than 51 per cent of voters, Jamaat has outlined specific commitments for women, including pledges to ensure safe, dignified and fear-free employment, in addition to education, skills development and equal opportunities in the workplace.
Party leaders said the manifesto would also seek to counter perceptions that Jamaat would impose Sharia law to confine women to their homes if elected.
Plans for July fighters and freedom fighters
The manifesto includes programmes for the security and rehabilitation of participants in the July 2024 movement, including employment-based rehabilitation for the injured, special allowances for families of martyred July fighters, and social reintegration initiatives.
At the same time, Jamaat pledges to continue all existing allowances and state benefits for freedom fighters.
Commitments on the economy, education and health
The manifesto sets a long-term target of reducing the tax rate to 19 per cent and VAT to 10 per cent and proposes introducing a “Smart Social Security Card” by integrating NID, TIN, health and social services.
In education, the party promises overseas higher education opportunities for underprivileged and meritorious students and the establishment of women’s universities, in addition to pledging free healthcare for the elderly and children.
International partnerships
Jamaat says it aims to position Bangladesh as a reliable regional and global partner, seeking relations with neighbouring India based on fairness, while maintaining strong ties with the United States, the United Kingdom, Western countries and EU member states.
It also plans to strengthen development partnerships with China, Japan, Malaysia, Turkey and others on an equal footing.
Minority rights
Jamaat says protecting minority rights and security is both a political responsibility and a religious duty. The manifesto pledges equal rights for all citizens regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender, stating that it does not believe in labelling any group as a “minority”.
