Jamaat to remain at polling centres to ensure 'fair results'

Senior leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have repeatedly called on party members to remain at polling centres until "fair results" are ensured before returning home, as part of the party's election-day strategy.

The party has provided training to its polling agents and organised constituency-based workshops for local leaders and activists to support this effort.

Party leaders said Jamaat has conducted training programmes not only for polling agents but also workshops involving local journalists in various districts and upazilas.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has been assisting the party in organising these activities, they added.

At least three members of Jamaat's election management committee told The Business Standard that the party would make its highest effort to prevent any attempts to seize polling centres on election day.

They also expressed concerns about the neutrality of the field administration.

According to them, Jamaat's primary objective is to ensure an environment in which ordinary voters feel safe to go to polling centres.

"Workshops have been held in several phases with local leaders and activists to create such an environment. If voters do not feel afraid to go to the polling centres, Jamaat believes it will have a strong chance of winning," one leader said.

Party's election management committee member and former president of Chhatra Shibir, Zahidur Rahman, told TBS that the party would coordinate election-day developments nationwide from its central office. "Candidates across the country will report on the electoral environment, law and order situation, and any potential risks."

"We will monitor the situation and inform the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies if necessary. If there is any deviation from the Election Commission's commitment to a free, fair and credible election, we will raise the issue," he added.

Zahidur further said the party would make every effort to ensure a peaceful and acceptable election and would take procedural steps based on observations from across the country.

Party leaders also informed that the party's election management committee would coordinate activities nationwide from its Moghbazar central office and would inform and press law enforcement agencies, the Election Commission and local administration to take necessary measures when required.

They said that if the situation at any polling centre deteriorates significantly, senior party leaders may contact the Chief Adviser's Office if needed.

At a press conference last night, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said the current electoral context is significantly different, noting that around 40% of voters in the country have never cast a vote in their lifetime. "Jamaat believes young voters would not tolerate any disruption of the electoral process."

"If the forces responsible for maintaining discipline perform their duties properly, the public will not need to act. But if they fail, the people will ensure that their responsibility is fulfilled and that a fair vote is secured," he added.

Earlier, on 6 February, at a rally in Jhalakathi, Shafiqur warned that any attempt to seize polling centres through the use of muscle power should be resisted firmly.