Jamaat also welcomes election schedule announcement

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami today (11 December) welcomed the announcement of the schedule for the national election.

The reaction from the party came shortly after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin unveiled the election timetable in a televised address in the evening.

Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, the party's central media and publicity wing chief, came up with the reaction at a press conference held at Jamaat's Moghbazar central office.

Jubayer, who is also the party's Assistant Secretary General, said the long-awaited announcement had eased concerns about whether the election would be held.

"There were uncertainties over the polls, but the announcement of the schedule has reassured us," he told reporters.

Calling on the Election Commission to ensure a fair electoral process, Jubayer said establishing a level-playing field for all political parties must now be the Commission's top priority. "Without this, there is no scope for making the election meaningful," he remarked.

He expressed dissatisfaction over previous electoral processes, saying, "In the past, although assurances were given ahead of elections, fairness could not be ensured. We hope this trend will change in the upcoming polls."

According to the schedule announced by the CEC, voting for the 13th parliamentary election will be held on February 12, alongside a national referendum. The balloting will continue from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without any break.

Meanwhile, BNP welcomed the schedules for the long-awaited national election and the referendum on the Reform Charter, describing it as a 'new chapter' in Bangladesh's political landscape.

"BNP has never had any fear regarding elections. We have always said that elections are the only way to overcome the crisis. Now that the formal journey on this path has begun, we welcome the announced schedule," party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB.

Khelafat Majlis, Islami Andolan Bangladesh welcome national election schedule, emphasise fair play

Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary Ahmad Abdul Qader praised the election date, noting that holding national polls and a referendum on the same day requires careful coordination of budget, personnel, and voter awareness. 
They highlighted law-and-order concerns, illegal arms circulation, and the need for strict enforcement of electoral codes.

Islami Andolon Bangladesh Joint Secretary Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman welcomed the schedule in a video message, calling it aligned with public expectations. While noting that the eight-party alliance's earlier demand for proportional representation and pre-election referendums was ignored, he emphasised that the schedule serves the greater national interest.

Islami Andolan stressed that administrative arrangements must ensure neutrality, with no preferential treatment to any party. They will discuss internal party strategy and the alliance's stance before providing a detailed reaction, though they offered initial support for the announced timeline.