Jamaat-e-Islami has officially announced its 41-point election manifesto titled “Vision for a Safe and People-Centric Bangladesh,” placing emphasis on 26 areas including youth empowerment, women’s security, implementation of July Charter, and abolition of fascist systems.
The manifesto was unveiled by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, at a city hotel in the presence of foreign diplomats and distinguished citizens.
Under the slogan “Let’s build Bangladesh together,” the document outlines ten fundamental pledges consisting of five “Yes” points – honesty, unity, justice, efficiency, and employment, and five “No” points – corruption, fascism, hegemony, unemployment, and extortion.
In his introductory remarks, the Jamaat ameer stated that the party seeks to build a nation that fulfils the aspirations of its people, noting that no class or profession was spared from oppression over the last 15 years.
He emphasised that while many might have forgotten the events after 5 August, remembering the past is essential to honouring the July warriors.
Shafiqur declared that the party does not seek its own victory but rather a victory for the nation, describing the manifesto as a “living document” reflecting the historical continuity of the country’s milestones, where 1947 led to 1971 and ultimately to 2024.
He also stated he had forgiven those who attempted to assassinate his character, as the concept of revenge does not align with the party’s values.
Governance and economic reforms
The first section of the manifesto commits to forming a discrimination-free and humanitarian Bangladesh through comprehensive governance reform and the establishment of an effective National Parliament.
Key proposals include significant electoral reforms, such as the introduction of a Proportional Representation (PR) system and the strengthening of the Caretaker Government system to ensure a fair electoral environment.
The party also pledges to create an accountable public administration, a corruption-free society, and an advanced judicial system, while maintaining an independent foreign policy and strong defence capabilities.
To restore economic confidence, Jamaat-e-Islami plans to reform the banking and financial sectors to create a transparent, investment-friendly environment, alongside offering free applications for government jobs and merit-based recruitment.
The manifesto further outlines industrial growth through the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the creation of an investment-friendly environment for both domestic and foreign capital.
The party pledged to improve workers’ wages and ensure safe working environments, particularly for women, while guaranteeing voting rights and participation for expatriates in nation-building.
To foster national unity, the document stresses equal rights for all citizens, moving away from majority-minority divisions and providing special support for backward communities.
The party claimed that this “People’s Manifesto” reflects the opinions of over 3.7 million people collected through an app-based campaign.
Social justice, national development
The party aims to ensure justice for state-sponsored extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and human rights violations, while focusing on the rehabilitation of families affected by the July Revolution.
In terms of environmental and food security, the manifesto aims for 100% unadulterated food by 2030 and the implementation of a “Three Zero Vision” to eliminate waste, environmental degradation, and flood risks.
This vision extends to the agricultural sector through a technological revolution and enhanced support for farmers. Additionally, the manifesto promises affordable housing for low and middle-income families and the introduction of an international-standard universal social security system.
Health and education reforms also feature prominently, with plans for universal healthcare—offering free treatment to the poor—and fundamental shifts in the education system to meet contemporary global demands.
The party intends to stabilise the prices of essential commodities and radically reform the transport sector, reducing travel time between Dhaka and divisional cities to between two and three hours.
Finally, the manifesto confirms an uncompromising stance on national sovereignty and the establishment of a state free from drugs, extortion, and terrorism, alongside continued judicial and reform efforts to prevent the rebirth of fascism in Bangladesh.
