Jamaat, 7 other parties submit memorandums to CEC demanding referendum in November
'The CEC listened to us and assured that the demands will be given due consideration,' says Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim reiterated his party's demand this afternoon (30 October) for a referendum by November, well ahead of the national election.
The Jamaat leader voiced the demand on behalf of eight political parties, including his own, after they submitted memorandums to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today to realise their demand for the referendum to give the July National Charter a legal basis.
Speaking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban, he said, "We met with the CEC today. The key issue under discussion is the July National Charter, which 25 political parties have signed.
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"We have told the EC that the referendum must be completed by November. Some parties have suggested amendments to the revised RPO (Representation of the People Order), but we said it should remain as it is."
He said the commission has taken note of the eight parties' demands.
The seven other parties are Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa) and Bangladesh Development Party.
The demands include an official order to implement the July National Charter and holding a referendum on it, as well as proportional representation (PR) in both houses, including a proposed upper house in the upcoming national election.
The parties also demand a level playing field for all parties for a free, fair and credible election; visible progress in the trial of the "fascist" government for oppression, killings and corruption; and a ban on the activities of the Jatiyo Party and others in the 14-party alliance, which they described as "accomplices of dictatorship."
Abdul Halim said, "In our meeting, the eight parties decided to announce new programmes on 3 November after observing the situation following submission of the memorandums. The CEC listened to us and assured that the demands will be given due consideration."
"Those who act against the spirit of July will, Insha'Allah, be rejected by the people. Since all of this stems from the context of the July [Uprising], if the referendum is not held beforehand, the national election itself will lose credibility," he continued.
Talking about the BNP's proposal to hold the national election and referendum on the same day, the Jamaat leader said, "The BNP can make such a demand if it wishes. But we want the referendum to be held in November."
Representatives of Jamaat and the seven other like-minded parties sat in a meeting with the CEC this afternoon to press home their five demands.
The meeting began at around 1pm in Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka's Agargaon area.
Earlier, EC officials struggled to manage the crowd of leaders and activists from the eight parties gathered in front of the building.
Although they initially came to submit their memorandums, the parties later said they wanted to meet with the CEC. Each party requested to meet him separately.
In such a situation, the authorities allowed small delegations from each party to enter the building in groups.
At around 12:30pm, leaders of the eight political parties entered Nirbachan Bhaban to submit their memorandums to the commission.
Earlier, activists and leaders gathered in front of the EC headquarters in Agargaon around this noon to press home their five demands.
They said a constitutional order must be issued to implement the July Charter and a referendum must be held in November, urging the EC to take necessary measures.
These parties also warned that failure to ensure a level playing field would make the current commission face the same fate as the previous one.
Earlier in the morning, the parties held a rally on a temporary stage set up near the EC office.
Jamaat leaders, including Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim and Nazim Uddin Molla, were present.
On the same day, Jamaat leaders also sharply criticised the BNP's stance and demands regarding the referendum and national election.
Meanwhile, leaders of Islami Andolan, in a brief address, said the referendum must take place before the national election.
Since 30 September, eight like-minded parties – the Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa) and Bangladesh Development Party – have been waging a movement to drive home these five demands.
On 19 October, these eight parties announced a three-day programme of rallies and marches, in the fourth phase of their movement.
In continuation of that movement, the parties' leaders entered the Election Commission building at around 12:30pm to submit their memorandum, while activists outside chanted slogans demanding a November referendum.
