Jamaat wants trial and reform first, then elections: Mujibur

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami wants trial for the 2024 July uprising killings and necessary reforms to be completed before the national election, the party's Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman said today (31 May).

"The people of Bangladesh want elections, but not just any kind. Therefore, our three key demands to the interim government are first justice, second reform, and only then national elections," he said while addressing a worker conference organised by the Kishoreganj district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Mujibur Rahman said, "Those who disregard trial for July killings are pushing for elections without demanding necessary reforms. In 2014, an election was held without votes, while in 2018, votes were cast the night before election day and in 2024, they orchestrated a dummy election by voting amongst themselves."

He went on to say that political parties and their allies responsible for unjust killings must be held accountable. 

"Justice must come first – only then reforms should take place, followed by a fair and transparent election," he added.

He emphasised the need to revive the voting and electoral process, saying, "If elections are held under a dead democracy and a broken electoral system, those will not reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people. That is why we say no elections before reform, no elections before trial."

The conference, held in an open field for the first time in two decades, drew over 100,000 workers and supporters of the Kishoreganj district Jamaat-e-Islami.