Even if polls are delayed, July Charter referendum must come first: Jamaat’s Taher
Jamaat does not consider it appropriate to merge the referendum and polls, as doing so could put the July Charter at risk of uncertainty, says Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher.
Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher has demanded that a referendum on the July Charter be held first so that its implementation is not delayed, even if the general election is postponed for any reason.
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Speaking at a briefing today (29 October) at Jamaat's central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, following a meeting between party leaders and a visiting Commonwealth delegation, Taher, however, expressed hope that the upcoming national election will be held on time, reports Prothom Alo.
"Even if the national election is delayed for any reason – we hope it will happen on time, Insha Allah – but the July Charter must be passed; it is also a reform.
"We do not consider it appropriate to merge the two (referendum and polls). Doing so could put the July Charter at risk of uncertainty."
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The Jamaat deputy chief reiterated that the referendum should be held before the national election and that the two should not take place on the same day.
He also urged the government to announce the date of the referendum without delay.
Taher noted that the National Consensus Commission has recommended holding the referendum on or before election day.
He explained that the referendum concerns the reform process, while the national election determines state authority.
Their nature is different, so the referendum should precede the election, he added.
