Election environment not possible without reforms: Jamaat ameer

A congenial election environment cannot be ensured without minimum reforms, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said today (3 February).

"A fair election is necessary where every citizen can exercise their voting rights," he said after inspecting flood-affected areas at Kalikapur village in Mirzanagar union along Muhuri River and Ballamukhar Dam in Parshuram upazila.

Shafiqur urged the people to support the families of martyrs and those injured during the July uprising. 

"Just as we owe a debt to our martyrs, we are also indebted to expatriates for their role in the country's transformation," he added.

Highlighting corruption in embankment projects, the Jamaat chief said, "The repeated collapse of embankments is due to widespread corruption. If there was no corruption, why would we need to allocate a budget for embankment construction every year?"

He also criticised the lack of scientific methods in embankment construction.

About the situation at Ballamukhar Dam, he said, "This embankment lies on the border between two countries. The eroded section falls within India's no-man's land, causing significant damage to our territory. A permanent solution with India is necessary, and sustainable embankments must be built."

Later, speaking at a roadside gathering organised by the Parshuram upazila and municipality Jamaat near Sonali Bank in Parshuram, Shafiqur said, "But after 5 August, India imposed severe hardship on Bangladesh, leading to devastating floods in Parshuram, Feni, Noakhali and Lakshmipur. The common people suffered immensely."

He assured that he would discuss with the government ways to ensure lasting peace for the people of Feni and permanent repairs for the embankments.

"Only under the rule of the Quran can true justice be achieved. Jamaat is working towards establishing Quranic governance. If the law of the Quran is implemented, there will be no discrimination—everyone will receive justice, and the people will live in safety," the Jamaat leader said.

"The people of this country lack both dignity and security. If we can establish a state based on the Quran, we will govern according to its laws," he added.

Jamaat's central Assistant Secretary General ATM Masum, Assistant Secretary of Dhaka North city Dr Fakhruddin Manik and Feni district Jamaat Ameer Mufti Abdul Hannan were present, among others.