Islami Andolan calls for local polls before national election in its declaration

Islami Andolan Bangladesh today (28 June) placed a 16-point declaration from the grand rally at Suhrawardy Udyan demanding state reforms, justice, proportional representation (PR) system and strong resistance against all anti-state and anti-Islam conspiracies.

The meeting was presided over by the Ameer of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh Mufti Rezaul Karim.

Their demands include restoring the principle of "absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah" in the constitution as a fundamental state principle alongside equality, human dignity and social justice.

Islam is the safeguard of Bangladesh's sovereignty which must be reflected in the constitution, it said.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh demanded prompt action against activities that threaten Islam and the sovereignty of the country to prevent mass unrest.

National unity must be built to resist all anti-state and anti-Islam conspiracies and to counter imperialist, expansionist and hegemonic forces, it added.

It demanded introduction of proportional representation (PR) electoral system in both proposed chambers in parliament, announcement of July Charter by next month to fulfill the aspirations of the July 2024 uprising and build a discrimination-free, corruption-free Bangladesh.

They demanded local government elections at all levels before the next national election and introduction of a provision to hold all future local polls under a non-partisan caretaker government ahead of the general election.

Fundamental state reforms must be completed urgently to prevent future autocrats, corrupt individuals, looters, and terrorists from using state power to snatch people's rights or destroy constitutional institutions through partisanship, it said.

The administration must be restructured to ensure a level-playing field for fair elections, justice must be ensured for the crimes committed by the fallen fascist regime and diplomatic efforts must be intensified to bring fugitive criminals back to the country, it said.

It demanded visible and effective initiatives to recover laundered money.

Their other demands are:

Law enforcement must act decisively to curb extortion, terrorism, and violence.

All agreements signed with India must be made public, and any anti-national agreements must be revoked.

Identifying the corrupt people, loan defaulters, and terrorists who must be disqualified from contesting elections.

Before announcing the national election schedule, a fair, neutral and acceptable environment must be ensured. 

The party warned that announcing the schedule under pressure from any political quarter or foreign country without ensuring equal opportunities for all would not be accepted.

All forms of bribery, corruption, and harassment of citizens must stop and 'politically motivated' and 'false' cases must be withdrawn and mob violence must be prevented with appropriate legal measures.

A united, ironclad alliance of patriotic and Islamic forces must be formed to defeat corrupt, extortionist and terrorist groups in the upcoming national election.

"To safeguard the country's independence, sovereignty, public safety, communal harmony, peace, and progress, we urge for the practice of the enlightened ideals of Islam in all levels of the state," IAB leader said.

Leaders from different political, religious, and social organisations participated in the grand rally included Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, general secretary, Hindu Mahajot, Dayal Kumar Barua, president, Bodhigyan Bhabanakendra, Nirmol Rosario, president, Bangladesh Christian Association, and President, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Mujibur Rahman, nayeb-e-ameer, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Mia Golam Parwar, secretary general, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Musa bin Izhar, secretary general, Nezame Islam Party, Sarjis Alam, chief organiser, NCP (Northern Region), Nurul Haque Nur, president, Gono Odhikar Parishad and Mojibur Rahman Manju, president, AB Party.