Islami Oikya Jote to join polls, run in 40-45 seats
“No matter how fair the election is, it will not be competitive if the BNP does not take part. There is no strong rival symbol against the symbol of the Awami League, except that of the BNP,” said Misbahur Rahman Chowdhury.
Bangladesh Islami Oikya Jote will participate in the 12th national parliamentary election, scheduled for 7 January, party chief Misbahur Rahman Chowdhury said on Thursday.
As a member of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance, Islami Oikya Jote will contest the election using symbols from "friendly political parties", as the party is yet to be registered with the Election Commission, added Misbahur.
He made the announcement during a press conference at the National Press Club on Thursday.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The party has planned to field candidates in 40-45 seats for the next election, with Misbahur contesting in Dhaka-5 constituency. However, the party has not yet chosen an election symbol.
In a call to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Misbahur Rahman urged the arrangement of a dialogue with all political parties, emphasising that the election would not be competitive without the participation of the BNP.
"No matter how fair the election is, it will not be competitive if the BNP does not take part. There is no strong rival symbol against the symbol of the Awami League, except that of the BNP," he added.
Misbahur further said that the date of the election should be deferred as much as possible in line with the constitution to facilitate dialogue with political parties.
He mentioned that despite being a component of the 14-party alliance, Islami Oikya Jote never hesitates to criticise the government.
Urging the political parties to come to the election and speak from the field, he said, "the election must be held to continue the process of democracy."
