Luring voters with cards, false promises amounts to code of conduct violations: Shafiqur
Instead of attacking one another, parties should present themselves to the people with realistic, constructive programmes, says Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman
Luring voters with cards, false promises or assurances of fake flats amounts to violations of the code of conduct, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said.
Speaking to reporters at Dhaka airport before departing on a tour of eight northern districts this morning (23 January), the Jamaat chief rejected allegations against the party of violating election rules, saying it needs to be examined whether AI-generated, deliberately misleading videos are being created and circulated to target it.
Responding to a question, he said, "We do not believe in the politics of buying people. Those who are themselves involved in such wrongdoing are trying to shift the blame onto us.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Luring voters with cards, false promises, rice at Tk10 per kg or assurances of fake flats – all of these amount to violations of the code of conduct. We unequivocallydetest any attempt to influence the legitimate rights of the people through such covert means."
Campaigning for the general election and the referendum officially began across the country yesterday, he mentioned. Although the government had earlier started campaigning for the referendum, Jamaat did not take part in such activities out of respect for the Representation of the People Order (RPO), Shafiqur said.
He said that over the past 54 years, Bangladesh has effectively been in "quicksand."
This will pose a major challenge for whoever takes charge of running the state in the future, the Jamaat ameer added.
A large number of educated youths are unemployed, he said, adding that in many sectors, a worker-friendly environment has yet to be established.
In particular, the country has failed to ensure a safe environment for the movement and workplaces of women, Shafiqur stated.
Calling for unity "at this time of national crisis," the Jamaat chief said instead of attacking one another, parties should go before the people with realistic, constructive programmes to build the country.
All dishonest attempts to influence the election in any manner must be avoided, he added.
He also urged the Election Commission to ensure postal ballots reach expatriate voters on time and are returned within the deadline.
On the July Charter referendum, Shafiqur said voters seeking a fundamental change from what he termed "rotten politics" of the past 54 years should vote "Yes."
He added that with today's tour, Jamaat's election activities outside Dhaka have begun.
Jamaat wants to assure the nation that if it gets the opportunity to form government, it will work to ensure justice-based development grounded in logic and reality, not on illusions or false promises, the party chief said.
