Jamaat warns those pushing for quick polls risk fascism, calls for implementation of July Declaration-Charter

Jamaat-e-Islami's central Nayeb-e-Amir Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher today (17 August) reiterated the chief adviser's earlier stance of "reform and justice first, then election," and warned that those pushing for a quick election without implementing the July Declaration and July Charter "essentially want to establish fascism."

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and several allied parties have called for the immediate implementation of a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, arguing it is essential to prevent a return of "fascism" to power.

The demand was made at a national seminar held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh's auditorium in Dhaka today (17 August).

Presiding over the seminar, Jamaat's nayeb-e-amir said, "Fascists came to power due to the failures of leaders over the past 54 years. They have fled the country because of the people's movement.

He further claimed that 71% of the country's population favours the PR system and that the people demand legal status for the July Declaration and July Charter.

Elections must be held under the PR system to avert the return of 'fascism'. This method should be introduced in both houses of the legislature."

Taher also accused those currently in power of compromising with fascism.

"To free the country from the grip of fascism, we must have a free, fair, neutral, and participatory election.

"Those who want a hasty election do not want a free, fair, and neutral one."

"If we do not have elections under a PR system, fascism will return," he said.

Professor Mia Golam Parwar, secretary general of Jamaat, echoed the sentiment, stating that the July Declaration is "incomplete" and needs to be formalised to prevent any future government from disregarding it.

"A leader of a political party has already said they will erase everything if they come to power," he said, without naming the individual or party.

Professor Dr Ahmad Abdul Quader, secretary general of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, expressed disappointment with the July Declaration as well, noting that it failed to mention the "BDR mutiny or the Shapla Chhattar massacre".

He called for the declaration to be amended and given legal status through a presidential proclamation.

Ashraf Ali Akon, praesidium member of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, accused the interim government of not being neutral and of favouring one political party. 

He stressed that a PR system is necessary to stop "vote rigging and terrorism," which he claimed have not ceased in 54 years.

Akhtar Hossain, member-secretary of the National Citizen Party, warned of procrastination in implementing the July Charter, citing the past failure of political alliances to fulfill promises.

"The current Constitution cannot stop fascism. We need a new one to fulfil the people's expectations," he stated.