Jamaat-led eight parties accept holding referendum on polls day
All eight parties will run month-long campaigns throughout December to mobilise public support in favour of the 'Yes' option in the referendum.
Eight political parties led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, demonstrating for a five-point demand that includes holding a national referendum ahead of the general election, have agreed, in the country's greater interest, to accept the government's decision to hold the referendum on the same day as the 13th parliamentary polls.
"We had earlier demanded that the referendum be held before the national election. But the government has announced that it will conduct the referendum on the election day, saying it is not feasible for them to organise it separately," said Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Kader.
"Considering the broader national interest, we have accepted this. Our focus now is to ensure a victory for the 'Yes' vote," he said.
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The announcement came yesterday evening (8 December) after an emergency meeting of the liaison committee of the parties at the central office of Khelafat Majlis in the capital's Purana Paltan area. Kader briefed reporters following the meeting.
He said all eight parties will run month-long campaigns throughout December to mobilise public support in favour of the 'Yes' option in the referendum. Leafletting, rallies, public outreach and awareness campaigns will be carried out extensively, he added.
Kader said that although the parties accepted the government's timing, they were not withdrawing any of their key demands. "Ensuring a level playing field in the election, bringing fascist criminals to justice, and imposing restrictions on political parties that collaborated with past fascism -- these demands remain intact," he said.
Referring to the series of divisional rallies already completed, Kader said the public response proved that "people accepted the causes and programmes" of the eight parties, strengthening morale among supporters and activists.
The liaison committee coordinator and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad attended the meeting, along with representatives from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis, Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Development Party and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party.
