Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami wants a referendum any day before the 13th National Parliamentary Election to implement the July Charter.
Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said this to journalists on Wednesday after meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon. The party’s Central Executive Council member and Secretary of the Central Publicity Department, Advocate Motiur Rahman Akand, was present at that time.
Furthermore, the party has stated that candidates will be announced based on a mutual understanding with like-minded parties.
Hamidur Rahman Azad said, “We want a referendum any day before the election. The chief election commissioner said that if the government instructs, they are prepared to implement it accordingly. We will formally present this demand to the chief adviser tomorrow by submitting a memorandum. Our demand is clear: The referendum must be held before the election.”
He stated that the movement will continue alongside like-minded parties until the demand is met, saying, “A large rally will be held in the capital on the 11th. We will continue the movement until our demand is met.”
He further said, “Our movement is ongoing based on a five-point demand. Our main focus is not the ordinance for the July Charter, but rather the issuance of the order. This has been greatly delayed even though issuing such an order should not take more than a day or two. We have said the order must be issued quickly and immediately. This will strengthen the referendum order.”
Explaining the reason, he said, “The reform proposals included opinions from political parties, but not all political parties represent all the people. There is a space for public representation outside of political parties. That’s why independent candidates can also contest elections, and people elect representatives by voting for them. So the question arises – if there is no participation in a referendum, how will it reflect the people’s opinion? If a referendum is held, based on public participation, this order will be strengthened and become a state document, and if implemented, Bangladesh will advance on a new path, fulfilling the dream we wish to see.”
He said, “If the parliamentary election and the referendum are held simultaneously, various complications will arise. Everyone’s attention will be on the candidates. The referendum will become secondary.”
Responding to a question about law and order, the assistant secretary general said, “Law and order was discussed. We have drawn attention to the fact that the government should strictly suppress anything that obstructs a fair election. The army, as it currently is a striking force, will also remain effective. And it will also work for law and order during the vote.”
Regarding overseas voter registration, he said, “There are some complexities with the overseas voter registration process. The Jamaat Ameer recently visited the USA, UK, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, where expatriate Bangladeshis expressed concerns. We have brought this matter to the Election Commission’s knowledge.”
When asked if NCP had sought seats from a party and whether Jamaat had discussions with them, he said, “We are in discussions with eight Islamic parties. We will not form an alliance. However, we will field candidates mutually. Meaning, if one party fields a candidate in a constituency, other parties will not.”
When asked further about discussions with NCP outside the Islamic parties, hDe added, “Discussions are also ongoing with other parties outside the Islamic parties. The number of parties on our side may increase further.”
This Jamaat leader said, “We previously met with the CEC and submitted an 18-point recommendation to the Election Commission (EC). Some of it has been discussed. The matter of overseas voters voting by postal ballot has been discussed. We want the election in February. We have also discussed election preparation and the EC’s course of action.”
