Jamaat Prefers Local Elections Over National Polls: Secretary General

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami prioritises local body polls over the national election to “align with public sentiment”, said the party’s Secretary General, Prof Mia Golam Parwar.

Following a two-hour meeting with the Election Commission (EC) at Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday, Golam Parwar stated that, while Jamaat has no objections to the national election being held in December, necessary electoral reforms must be implemented beforehand.  

The party submitted a written proposal outlining key election reforms, emphasising their implementation before any polls.

The proposals include reinstating the proportional representation (PR) system, restoring Section 91 of the 'Representation of the People Act,' and relaxing the terms of the Political Party Registration Act.

Regarding election preparedness, he asserted that Jamaat is capable of fielding candidates in all 300 constituencies nationwide.  

The Jamaat delegation, led by Parwar, met with the EC, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and attended by four other election commissioners. Other members of the Jamaat delegation included AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar, SM Kamal Uddin, and Yousuf Ali.