Jamaat alleges 3 advisers misleading government, demands removal; to submit names to CA

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher today (14 November) accused three government advisers of working in favour of a particular political party and of deliberately feeding misinformation to derail the administration from holding a free and fair election.

"At least three advisers are misguiding Dr Yunus. We demand the removal of these three advisers. We will send their names to the chief adviser," he said at a press conference in the capital's Moghbazar, organised by the eight-party alliance.

Taher also alleged that the current government is "no longer neutral" and is attempting to install one political party in power through a compromised electoral process. 

He claimed that the chief adviser's latest address indicated that the government was being steered to serve the interests of a particular party, casting doubt on the fairness of the upcoming referendum and national election.

"Falling into the trap of one party, knowingly or unknowingly, will render the reform process nearly meaningless," he said.

According to him, the administration had earlier shown "weakness and loyalty" towards the same party, starting from the announcement of the election date from London and unveiling the election roadmap without consulting other parties. 

"This proves the government is no longer neutral," he said.

Taher expressed concern that holding the referendum and national election on the same day would cause the reform issue to lose prominence. 

"If both votes take place on the same day, every party will focus on its own candidates. The referendum will become insignificant," he said. He argued that voters would make more informed decisions if the referendum were held separately.

He accused the government of dividing the reform commission's recommendations into four parts instead of issuing the order as a single package. 

"Where there was a note of dissent, it should not legally affect the referendum. But the government is using it to benefit a specific party," he said.

While acknowledging that parts of the chief adviser's latest order were acceptable, he said it did not fully implement the commission's proposals. 

"The commission recommended a single package, but the government split it. This has complicated the voting process and undermined public interest," he added.

Taher said citizens had been deprived of a proper electoral process for the past 15 years. 

"The government's attitude, loyalty to a particular party and administrative bias are obstructing a fair election," he said. 

He urged the chief adviser to announce a separate date for the referendum.

He stated that top leaders of the eight-party alliance would meet on 16 November to decide their next course of action. 

"We want the referendum to be held separately, followed by the national election," he said.

Senior leaders of the alliance were also present at the press conference.