Desk report:
Jamaat has confidence in chief advisor’s words on elections
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has confidence in the words of the chief advisor regarding the national election, said the party’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. He said, ‘The chief advisor has said several times that he wants to complete the national election between December this year and June next year. We have confidence in this.’
He said this in the opening speech of the six-monthly session of the party’s central Majlish-e-Shura at the Al-Falah auditorium in the capital’s Moghbazar on Saturday morning.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, ‘The chief advisor has said several times that he wants to complete the national election between December this year and June next year. We have confidence in this. We do not want to force the election, but we want to cooperate. We call on all organizations to cooperate with the government. If the nation is in crisis, none of us will be able to escape responsibility.’
He said, ‘The nation has been made a total joke by electing 154 people unopposed in 2014, the Nishirat vote in 2018 and the farce of Dummy and Me in 2024. In this situation, the nation must be given a beautiful election; through which the people’s opinion will truly be reflected and the people’s government will be established.’
He further said, ‘We demanded a roadmap for reforms and elections from the government. The lack of a clear roadmap has created doubts among the people. We are demanding a clear roadmap from the government to restore the people’s trust. Then our demand was a fair trial of fascism. This trial process is very long. However, a credible trial must be visible to the nation without delay.’
Noting that the activities of the previous government have created a reluctance among the people towards elections, the Jamaat Ameer said, ‘Acceptable reforms are needed to make elections meaningful, although no roadmap has come before the people so far. If there is no acceptable election, the people will reject it.’
He said, ‘After reviewing the overall situation in the country, we have taken some steps on behalf of the organization. To overcome this uncertainty, we have called on the chief advisor of the interim government to hold an all-party dialogue. We believe that through satisfactory discussions for all, the nation’s fear and apprehension will be removed and this crisis will be resolved, Insha Allah.’
The Ameer of Jamaat said, ‘Recently, two sensitive issues have come before the nation. Humanitarian corridor and Chittagong sea port management. Appropriate decisions should be taken in this regard after discussing with security experts and all parties in the country. Or it can be left for the elected parliament.’
Regarding the army, he said, ‘The army is a matter of our pride. They have a dignified contribution at an important turning point in history. The army should not be controversial. The nation’s expectation is that the army will serve the country and the nation by protecting independence and sovereignty, and the country’s political parties and the army will focus on fulfilling their respective responsibilities from their respective positions.’
Urging the party leaders and workers, the Jamaat Ameer said, ‘We have to behave responsibly in all areas. We have to be vigilant and careful in all matters. Leaders and workers at all levels of the organization must be given guidelines to maintain peace and order in the society.’
