Jamaat-led 11-party alliance to hold protest today against 'post-polls violence,' 'electoral irregularities'

The 11-party electoral alliance led by the Jamaat-e-Islami will stage a demonstration in Dhaka today (16 February) after Asr prayers protesting alleged post-election violence and electoral irregularities across the country.

The protest will be held at the north gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, along with senior leaders of the alliance, are expected to join the demonstration.

Earlier, a delegation, led by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, met with Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud at EC headquarters in Agargaon yesterday.

Following the meeting, the alliance held a press briefing at the EC building, expressing dissatisfaction with the electoral process and announcing the protest.

According to the announcement, the protest aims to mount public pressure on the commission to ensure transparency in the final results.

At the press briefing, Azad said, "Incidents of violence before and after the election are worrying. Examples similar to the Hatia incident have surfaced. There are concerns about repeating 2018 events."

He claimed that three women were injured in his constituency, adding, "We have submitted reports from 54 districts."

The alliance announced that protests will continue if violence persists.

"If violence is not stopped, we will take to the streets. In parliament, we will play the role of a constructive opposition. We will speak in the national interest," Azad said, announcing the protest rally.

Regarding the oath-taking of the newly elected lawmakers, he confirmed, "We have decided positively – we will take the oath, join parliament and play a constructive role in opposition. At the same time, the streets remain open for us."