No level playing field yet for upcoming national polls: Jamaat

The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is ready to contest the upcoming 13th parliamentary election but warned that a true level playing field is yet to be created, the party's Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad has said.

"We are repeatedly stressing that equal opportunity for all is a must, yet it still does not exist. The commission claims it is working, but much remains to be done," he said after a meeting with the Election Commission in Dhaka today.

He said the discussion covered issues of law and order, the creation of a level playing field, and holding a festive, inclusive vote. 

Regarding February polls, Azad said, "We have no problem with February. We had earlier suggested a timeline of February or April. If the government is prepared, elections can be held within that window. Even if polls are held in December this year, Jamaat has no objection."

Azad added, "We are fully prepared. But the preconditions and demands we have raised must be ensured before the polls. Otherwise, a free and fair election will not be possible."

He reiterated that Jamaat has long supported proportional representation (PR), which he described as "the best system for Bangladesh" as it reflects voter sentiment more accurately and promotes fairness.

The Jamaat leader confirmed the party's plan to field candidates in all 300 constituencies, saying, "We are campaigning on the ground, engaging with people, and shaping public opinion." A five-member Jamaat delegation attended the meeting.

On constituency demarcation, Azad said the party had presented its objections to the draft delimitation. "We asked that all opinions be accommodated to avoid legal tangles that could stall the process. The commission assured us that logical concerns would be examined," he noted.

Jamaat's absence of bank accounts

Jamaat also faced questions about why its recently submitted financial report to the EC did not include any bank account details, despite being mandatory under party registration rules.

In response, Azad said the party had been unable to operate openly for the past 15 years following the cancellation of its registration in 2013 and the political restrictions it faced under the Awami League government. 

"We could not even live in our own homes, let alone open bank accounts. Had we tried, we would have ended up in jail. That is why the return we submitted did not include any bank accounts. If the environment is favourable, we will open accounts and submit them in the next return," he explained.

He pointed out that Jamaat last submitted a full income and expenditure report in 2008, when its accounts included banking details, but the political climate thereafter made it impossible. 

This year Jamaat submitted its income and expenditure statement after regaining registration. The party reported Tk28.97 crore in income against Tk23.73 crore in expenditure for 2024.

Azad confirmed that an audited financial statement with full banking records will be submitted next year.